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Tips for Buying a Home on Capitol Hill

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Tips for Buying a Home on Capitol Hill

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I’m sharing my top FIVE tips for buying a home in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, including what you need to know about home types, average home prices, the best views, amenities, and transit options. 

What do you need to know about how to buy a home in Capitol Hill? Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood is home to a variety of home types, including co-ops, condos, townhouses, and detached single family homes. Average home prices in Capitol Hill vary greatly; the average price for a co-op is $365k, condos are at $610k, townhomes are at $945k, and detached single family homes are roughly around $2.75 million. Many areas of Capitol Hill offer views, including views of Downtown, the Cascades, Mt Rainier, and the water. Capitol Hill is one of the most transit-friendly cities in Seattle, and you’ll find extensive amenities here; everything from arts happenings and restaurants to bars and parks are within reach.  

What You Need to Know About How to Buy a Home in Capitol Hill

If you’re wondering about the best way to buy a home in Capitol Hill, you’re in the right place! Below you’ll find the top 5 questions you should ask in your home buying journey. And if you keep reading this blog, we are sharing the answer to each question! 

  • 1st Tip: What Types of Homes Can You Buy in Capitol Hill? 
  • 2nd Tip: What Are the Average Prices of Homes for Sale in Capitol Hill?
  • 3rd Tip: Which Areas in Capitol Hill Have the Best View Homes? 
  • 4th Tip: What Types of Transit Does Capitol Hill Have? 
  • 5th Tip: What Types of Amenities Can You Find in Capitol Hill? 

Check Out Rocky’s Video With His Tips on How to Buy a Home in Capitol Hill

Video coming soon!

I’m Rocky Flowers with Team Diva at Coldwell Banker Bain, and in this video, I’m sharing all of my tips for how to buy a home in Capitol Hill. As you may know I have lived, worked, and played on the Hill for almost 20 years, and today I’m my newest listing on Capitol Hill. 

Are you curious about buying a home on Capitol Hill and want to get some more information first? Perfect! My tips in this video include the types of homes you can buy, the average costs of buying a home, the areas that have the best view homes available, the transit that is available, and of course the amenities that are available on Capitol Hill. 


Tips for Buying a Home on Capitol Hill

If you would like to learn even more tips on how to buy a home in Seattle, check out my video  “15 Steps on How to Buy a House in Seattle”. And now it’s time to get into the specifics of buying a home in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood! 

What Types of Homes Can You Buy on Capitol Hill?

Capitol Hill is Seattle’s most densely populated neighborhood, so naturally there’s a diverse mix of different types of homes available. No matter what your budget or lifestyle is, from studio condos to luxury estates you can find a home on Capitol Hill to match your means and lifestyle. I am going to go through a couple of options for you to consider. 

Co-Ops  

Lorington Co-Op on Capitol Hill at 11th & Denny

Co-ops and condos are the most common type of home found on Capitol Hill. They offer similar types of living with some small differences. Co-ops have a different type of ownership than condos. Instead of owning your specific unit and a shared interest in common areas as in condos, in a co-op you own shares in the entire building and have an exclusive right to use your unit. 

Co-op’s also tend to be in charming older vintage buildings. Co-ops generally don’t have any or much parking, there are often stricter pet rules, and almost no ability to rent out your unit. They also tend to be more affordable than condos. Do note that co-ops typically have high homeowner association dues. But this includes your property taxes. Co-ops are great for people that want to have community and camaraderie with neighbors. Check out our blog “Condos and Co-Ops: What is the Difference?” for more details. 

Condos  

Trace Lofts Capitol Hill Condo Exterior

Condos are extremely common on Capitol Hill. They are diverse in style, size, age, and price. With condos you own your actual unit and have a shared interest in the common areas. Condos are a great choice for any type of buyer. But I particularly like them for buyers that are just entering the housing market. Condos are a good way to own while building equity for a larger space. 

Some folks like me enjoy the condo lifestyle. You don’t have to worry about much maintenance, condos usually have amenities such as parking, and you have more flexibility to rent your unit. On Capitol Hill you can find a condo from a simple and modest entry into the market or a stunning view luxury home that has all of the bells and whistles of an urban home. 

Townhouses  

Capitol Hill Green Built Townhouse Private Patio

Some folks are not interested in a community building like a condo. But they don’t quite have the budget for a single family home. Townhomes are a perfect alternative. With townhomes you own your unit exclusively and only have limited maintenance agreements for common areas with the neighbors in your townhome development. Townhomes almost always have parking and outdoor space such as rooftop or a patio. And townhomes almost never have homeowner association dues. If you are looking for exclusive ownership but are conscious about budget, townhomes may be the perfect home for you.  

Detached Single Family Homes  

Classic Capitol Hill Home, Exterior, Sunroom, Two Car Garage, Front Garden

Detached single family homes on Capitol Hill tend to be large and historic. North Capitol Hill is where you will find stately mansions and homes built at the turn of the 20th century. Capitol Hill is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. The homes you find here are one of a kind and almost always have individual design and built in spaces. 

This Home is the Perfect Example of a Capitol Hill Condo 

Staircase to front porch and balcony

Today, I am in this vintage Capitol condo. Built in the early 1900s, this condo’s neoclassical design is a perfect space for buyers looking for alternatives to modern design. I love the charm in the spacious open living and dining space with high ceilings, transom windows and hardwood floors throughout the unit. Two bedrooms including a primary suite with a decorative fireplace, murphy bed and a private deck allow for flexible living. How special is it to live on one of the most beautiful tree lined streets on Capitol Hill?  For more information and price be sure to check out the show notes in the comments. 

What Are the Average Prices of Homes for Sale on Capitol Hill?

Balcony with street view

Now that we have talked about the types of homes on Capitol Hill, let’s talk about how much different types of homes cost to buy in this Seattle neighborhood. 

Co-Ops 

Right now the average price for a co-op on Capitol Hill is $365k. If I break that down by bedroom count, the average price for studios is $285k, one bedrooms are $305k and two bedrooms average about $490k.

Condos

Condos on Capitol Hill sell for a bit higher than co-ops due to the differences I stated earlier in this post. They average about $610k. A studio is going to run you about $435k, one bedrooms are $446k, and two bedrooms are priced at $870k. That big jump between one and two bedroom condos is due to a high number of luxury condos for sale on Capitol Hill at the moment. 

Townhouses 

You can find a healthy range of prices for townhomes on Capitol Hill but the average price right now is about $945k. 

Detached Single Family Homes

Detached single family homes on Capitol Hill are definitely a luxury home buy. The average price of a detached single family home on Capitol Hill is roughly around $2.75 million dollars.

Take a moment to check out my video “What Is The Most Affordable Home in Seattle That You Can Buy?” to learn more! 

Which Areas on Capitol Hill Have the Best View Homes?

Seattle residents love their views, and Capitol Hill does not disappoint. Depending on what part of Capitol Hill you are in, the view can change. Homes and condos on the west side of Broadway and North Capitol Hill have views of the Olympic mountains, Downtown, and the Space Needle, for example. The east side of Capitol Hill has many homes that enjoy views of the Cascades including Mt Rainier. And properties in central and south Capitol Hill can have views in just about every direction! 

What Types of Transit Does Capitol Hill Have?

Capitol Hill street car in Seattle. Transit in Seattle.

Capitol Hill is known for being one of the most transit friendly neighborhoods in Seattle. You name it, we have it. There are multiple modes of transportation on Capitol Hill. Buses run in every direction including a new Rapid Ride connection to downtown on Madison. You can also access the streetcar to First Hill or Pioneer Square. And of course, we all love the Capitol Hill Link light rail station that can connect us to our friends who live as far north as Northgate or south to Angle Lake. Bikes and scooters are also available to rent for short or longer travels. 

What Types of Amenities Can You Find on Capitol Hill?

 

Capitol Hill is one of those neighborhoods in Seattle that you can find just about everything. There is no shortage of art spaces for dance, cinema, and galleries. You will also be able to find just about any type of food you desire, from fine dining to small cafes or casual dining. And there’s no shortage of small businesses offering their niche items of clothing, books, gifts, and home decor. If you are looking for nightlife you have a diversity of clubs, bars, and hangout spots. And for more wholesome recreation, Capitol Hill has some of the most used parks in the city such as Cal Anderson and Volunteer Park. 


Thank You for Learning Our Tips for Buying a Home on Capitol Hill

What do you need to know about how to buy a home in Capitol Hill? You’ll find a large variety of home types in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood, including co-ops, condos, townhouses, and detached single family homes. Average home prices in Capitol Hill vary quite a bit; the average price for a co-op is $365k, condos are at $610k, townhomes are at $945k, and detached single family homes are roughly around $2.75 million. You’ll find many beautiful views from Capitol Hill depending where you are; views of Downtown, the Cascades, Mt Rainier, and the water are all on the horizon. Capitol Hill is also one of the most transit-friendly neighborhoods in Seattle, and there are also tons of top amenities and attractions—arts happenings, dining, bars, parks and more are at your fingertips. 

What You Need to Know About How to Buy a Home in Capitol Hill

If you’re wondering about the best way to buy a home in Capitol Hill, you’re in the right place! Below you’ll find the top 5 questions you should ask in your home buying journey. And if you keep reading this blog, we are sharing the answer to each question! 

  • 1st Tip: What Types of Homes Can You Buy in Capitol Hill? 
  • 2nd Tip: What Are the Average Prices of Homes for Sale in Capitol Hill?
  • 3rd Tip: Which Areas in Capitol Hill Have the Best View Homes? 
  • 4th Tip: What Types of Transit Does Capitol Hill Have? 
  • 5th Tip: What Types of Amenities Can You Find in Capitol Hill? 

More Details About the Home in the Video 

  • MLS: 2169074
  • Address: 432 17th Ave E B3 Seattle, WA 98112
  • Neighborhood: Capitol Hill 
  • Price: $620,000
  • 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. 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.

Alyssa Christensen

Alyssa Christensen

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