Buying a 1920s house sounds romantic until you face rotting plumbing, knob-and-tube wiring, and layout designs meant for a completely different century. Most people buy older properties with grand renovation dreams and end up overwhelmed within three years. But bestselling author Garth Stein took a different path, spending a quarter of a century meticulously updating a historic Seattle brick Colonial Revival while raising three children.
Now, with his kids grown and out of the house, Stein and his filmmaker wife, Andrea Perlbinder Stein, have listed the 3,970-square-foot property in Seattle's Mount Baker neighborhood for $2.45 million. Handled by Amy Sajer of Windermere Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International, the listing marks the end of an era for a home that served as the backdrop for the author's life long before his 2008 novel The Art of Racing in the Rain became a global phenomenon.
The Reality of a Twenty Five Year Restoration Project
When the Steins bought the house in 2001, they labeled it their forever home. They didn't rush to flip it or slap modern gray paint over historic details. Instead, they took a methodical approach to preservation and modern upgrades.
Renovations started immediately in 2001 and trickled across two decades. The most significant structural shift came in 2009, when architect Rocky Rochon redesigned the traditional layout to maximize natural light and open up cramped sightlines.
Doing historic preservation right means hiding the modern tech completely. The house still features its character-defining living room Batchelder tile fireplace, but it now runs on updated electrical systems, modern plumbing, and central air conditioning. Two bathrooms redesigned by Marianne Simon Design earned a Luxe Design Award in 2018 for their marble, glass, and brass finishes. Meanwhile, the kitchen features a Viking range, dual sinks, custom cabinetry, and a mix of butcher block and marble countertops.
Why Mount Baker Stays in High Demand
Location matters just as much as square footage. Mount Baker isn't just another Seattle suburb. Laid out by the famed Olmsted brothers, the neighborhood's street design follows the natural topography, resulting in curved roads that frame lake views and park access.
Living a block away from the water changes how you use a home. Steel-and-glass French doors connect the interior dining and living spaces directly to bluestone terraces equipped with a built-in kitchen and gas firepit. A detached two-car garage rounds out the 0.2-acre property, offering privacy without sacrificing urban accessibility.
What Buyers Miss About Older Homes
The biggest mistake buyers make in historic neighborhoods is underestimating the cost and mental toll of modernization. Most people want the charm of a 1920s brick exterior, but nobody wants to spend their weekends dealing with contractor delays and opened-up walls.
Properties like Stein's command attention because the heavy lifting is already finished. You get four corner bedrooms offering privacy and views, a flexible lower-level space suited for a creative studio or guest suite, and historical soul without the maintenance headache.
Long-term residency defines Mount Baker. Real estate agents note that sellers in this pocket typically stay thirty, forty, or even sixty years. When a property finally rotates out of long-term ownership after twenty-five years of careful stewardship, it offers a rare blueprint for how to update historic architecture without stripping away its identity.
