5 Luxury Upgrades for Your Seattle Home

Seattle, WA, has about 737,000 residents that live in an area of close to 142 square miles. Still, Seattle-Tacoma is where a staggering four million residents call home. The city is a major port city in Asia and is the fourth-largest port in America. Seattle is also home to mega American company headquarters, including Boeing, Microsoft, and Amazon.

Mount Rainier is less than a two-hour drive south of Seattle and rises about 14,500 feet high. It’s one of Washington’s five active volcanoes. It’s on the eastern rim of the expansive Pacific Ring of Fire and is one of the world’s most dangerous volcanoes. It last erupted in 1854.

The median list price of Seattle homes for sale is currently $899,000, up from $695,000 last year. Seattle real estate is in a strong seller's market, which means few homes are available for sale, with more significant numbers of buyers hoping to buy the limited inventory.

Music lovers will delight in discovering that Seattle's jazz scene influenced the careers of legendary artists Ray Charles and Quincy Jones. Iconic guitarist Jimi Hendrix was born here, and "grunge" originated in Seattle. Rock bands Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and The Foo Fighters all formed in Seattle. With this rich history, it's no wonder those who own Seattle real estate rarely want to leave. If your home is in need of a bit of an upgrade, here are some tips.

If your roof needs repair or replacement, it could affect a buyer's ability to secure a mortgage loan to purchase your home. A faulty roof will affect your asking price since buyers will want you to bear the cost of replacing the roof. For example, if you replace your roof with stylish, long-lasting ceramic roof tiles for $35,000, you can add that cost to your asking price. If, however, you leave the roof in its damaged or otherwise subpar state, a buyer could offer you $50,000 under your asking price because they’ll have to bear the inconvenience and cost of replacing the roof—even if doing so only costs $35,000. Ceramic tile roofs are fantastic options for roof replacement and can last more than a century. They are made of recyclable earth materials, and many manufacturers offer 50-year warranties. These tiles come in many colors, matte or gloss finishes, and styles, such as Japanese-inspired designs.

No matter how grand your home is amongst Seattle real estate, the kitchen could prove its downfall. If the kitchen is outdated or too modern and sleek, neither will appeal to homebuyers. A balanced mix of modern and homey can work wonders for your kitchen. Consider a replica of Chef Alex Guarnaschelli’s modern, functional kitchen with lots of room and generous counter space. Another option is a sleek, retro kitchen like that of Prue Leith, with pops of color and an airy feel. If you don’t want to update the entire kitchen, consider switching out older appliances for new versions in stainless steel, enamel, or modern versions of old favorites, such as the British AGA Classic Dual Range and Oven.

 

Even though buyers looking to secure a Seattle home for sale may not consider an outdoor deck as an option in rainy Seattle, there's still a good reason to install one. A deck brings the inside of your home "out" and extends it to your backyard for relaxation, entertaining al fresco, or both. Install a patio cover to protect from drizzles. Add a fire pit with comfy chairs for cool evenings with a light meal and warm beverages. If you don't want to use wood, an eco-friendly substitute that resembles wood is readily available. Composite decks are maintenance-free, composed of recycled materials, and lower the earth’s carbon footprint. You can choose from many varieties, including birch, walnut, blond woods, cherry, and more.

Is your guest bathroom limited to a toilet and sink? Is your main bathroom an old-school tub-within-the-shower footprint? Here are two ways to upgrade your bathrooms, and they hail from Japan. The first is to replace your toilets with luxury Japanese toilets with built-in cleansing applications. Another option is to replace the tub and shower formation with a floor-to-ceiling tiled shower with a sturdy bench for cleansing. Then install a Japanese soaking tub, known as an ofuru, to soak in after that cleansing shower. Lastly, consider installing low-profile ceiling heaters so you don't get cold when you leave all the warm water behind to dry off and get dressed.

In the past, spare rooms were used for storage or as cluttered catchalls. These days, remote workers and students need dedicated spaces to work and study. Therefore, work on decluttering your home so you can dedicate a spare room to just these scenarios. Working on the couch or dragging your laptop to bed to send a last-minute email isn’t ideal. You could even transform unused attic or basement space into a study space or workstation. Ensure there's adequate lighting, electrical outlets, and space to spread out if necessary. Another alternative for extra space is to turn it into a home studio with lighting, backdrops, and recording equipment. You could also turn it into a craft space with lots of built-in shelves, a tile floor for easy cleanup when your family artist spills paint, and lots of light and ventilation for a safe place to create art.

Local realtors are happy to suggest additional upgrades to maximize your investment, whether you’re staying in your home or listing it amongst active Seattle homes for sale. When you’re ready to take the next step, reach out to Shannon Campbell for guidance.