The house had no garage.
It used to have a garage.
It used to be under the house. It was pretty obvious why there wasn’t a garage any more.
While lots of garages under houses get remodeled as a way to get more living space, this garage was finished off for “other” reasons–although the new bonus room was probably useful.
As we move into the winter season, it is only natural to think about slippery conditions and even skiing if one is into that. But typically skiing and driveways don’t go together–although if one was into skiing perhaps it would. I am not much of a skier–a little cross country–and if I was to ski down this driveway, I am pretty sure I would not want a busy street at the end.
But back to the driveway.
Installing a driveway on this much of a slope is not that easy to do.
They did a pretty decent job too.
A lot of time and materials spent for nothing.
Concrete driveways are usually a good selling point for a home.
In this case it is likely more of a liability. I am not sure I would want to have to walk up or down this driveway in slippery conditions–let alone attempt to drive up it or park on it.
(And there is no trick photography involved with the picture either)
By Charles Buell, Real Estate Inspections in Seattle
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I completely agree, as I have myself slipped on this type of driveway and it wasn’t even icy, just mossy and damp. My question is what are the alternatives? thanks Charley!
Switch-backs? 🙂 It would be hard to say Torrey, pray for an alley on the other side? Garage under the house with an elevator? No easy solution really
Many hillside houses in Seattle have their garage carved into the hill, with the garage door at the property line. Usually these garages have flat roofs, with decks (or other outdoor living space) above them. Seattle’s current zoning laws discourage this use of the front yard. If you want to build a new garage at the front property line, you might need to get a zoning variance — which the city might (or might not) be willing to give.
So true Jasper—and there are a lot of those garages—-many are wet dungeon-like places with failing roofs and walls. But like you say, if you have one—you better keep it and fix it because it is difficult to get the city to go along with putting a new one there once it is gone.