Open House Review: 447 Ridgeway

There are several condos available in Northwood Pointe’s Greystone Villas neighborhood. Three of them – 447 Ridgeway, 159 Islington, and 947 Somerville – have the same layout (Islington is reversed). I’ll review 447 Ridgeway today and 159 Islington next week. Somerville wasn’t open so I didn’t see that one.

The basics:

Asking Price: $525,000

Bedrooms: 2

Bathrooms: 2

Square Footage: 1,260

Lot Size: N/A

$/Sq Ft: $417

Days on Market: 34

Property Type: Condominium

Year Built: 1998

Community: Northwood Pointe, Greystone Villas

HOA dues are $284 ($40 + $244) per month and there are Mello Roos.

With a listing price of $525,000, 447 Ridgeway costs less than the other two, which are each listed at $549,000. Ridgeway also has a very motivated seller who is willing to negotiate. The condo is freshly painted and in good shape, though it doesn’t have as many upgrades as the others.

When you walk in the front door, you immediately go upstairs to get to the unit. The master bedroom is just to the right at the top of the stairs. It is definitely smaller than most master bedrooms. While it probably doesn’t have space for a chair or seating area, it should be able to hold a queen size bed, a pair of nightstands and a dresser. Three small windows look to the front while one larger window faces the garages and units across the street. The walk-in closet stretches behind one wall and is actually a pretty good size. There is an adjustable, wire-rack organizing system in place.

An arched doorway leads into the master bathroom. There are two sinks, set into a white vanity with smooth countertops and basic cabinets and drawers. The shower is on the left, with basic white tiles and a built-in seat. There is a basic showerhead and sliding chrome doors. The water closet is to the right of the sinks. There is a set of linen cabinets in there as well.

The living room is slightly to the left off the entry stairs. One wall has an alcove for an entertainment unit. The owner is willing to include the current unit with the sale and may have a TV available that fits inside. Just next to it is a small fireplace surrounded by simple white molding, a white hearth and without a mantle. Two large windows, fitted with brown shutters, line the back wall. The oak floor is designed to have an older look and is in good condition.

The living room and dining room flow together, though a slight change in the depth of the wall does designate the separate spaces. Two more windows line the back wall of the dining room. Another wall has a sliding door leading to the large patio.

The long, narrow kitchen sits parallel to the living and dining rooms. The counters are basic white tiles and the cabinets are a light maple color without handles or knobs. A few cabinets have glass fronts. The long counter facing the living room has a double sink in the middle, a stainless steel dishwasher, several small drawers and a few cabinets. A slight angle at the end leads to the refrigerator (included with the sale), a built-in desk and a walk-in pantry. The opposite wall has a long counter, the range and microwave. There are additional cabinets and drawers here as well. Just off the kitchen sits a laundry room with upper cabinets. The washer and dryer are also included with the sale.

The second bedroom and bathroom are just past the dining room. The bedroom has plush carpet and mirrored closet doors. There is a small alcove in one corner. Another wall has a sliding door to the patio. Overall, the room isn’t very large but everything is in excellent condition. The bathroom is just outside the bedroom. It has a single sink, large white tiled floors, and a shower/tub combo, also with basic white tile. Like the master, it isn’t fancy but is functional.

This is a pretty basic condo. Nothing is particularly fancy, but everything is in good shape and there are nice, smaller upgrades like recessed lighting and ceiling fans. The neighborhood has a swimming pool with spa and it’s an easy walk to Canyon View Elementary and Northwood High School. According to the realtor, it is also generally easy to rent these units if you’re looking for an investment property. The price is lower than the other two units with the same floor plan and is average for condos in the general area. With the motivated seller, the buyer may be able to negotiate a pretty good deal.