Bestselling Author Garth Stein Is Selling His Historic Seattle ‘Forever House’ for $2.5 Million

Garth Stein is known for his 2008 blockbuster novel, “The Art of Racing in the Rain,” followed by the 2019 film. However, not as much is revealed about his home life.

Seven years before the New York Times bestseller was published, he and his wife (filmmaker Andrea Perlbinder Stein) bought their “forever house” in Seattle, explains listing agent Amy Sajer of Windermere Real Estate/Luxury Portfolio International. Now, that home is on the market for $2,450,000.

After raising three kids, the Steins are ready to downsize.

“They were there 25 years. Their last kid has gone to college. It’s time to focus their energy elsewhere,” says Sajer. “Garth said, ‘We always considered this our forever house, and we made our decisions about the renovations accordingly.’ You really feel that when you’re in the house.”

During their time in the home, the Steins restored the 1924 brick Colonial Revival home, including a major 2009 renovation by Rocky Rochon that infused light and long sightlines into the traditional layout.

“The improvements started right away, in 2001, and they have done things all along their ownership,” says Sajer. “They’ve always maintained it and did whatever they needed to update it.”

Among the new features are air conditioners and all-new baths. With four bedrooms and 3.5 baths, the home spans 3,970 square feet.

Working with Marianne Simon Design, two of the baths—adorned with marble, glass, and brass—won a Luxe Design Award in 2018. Original features include a Batchelder tile fireplace in the living room.

New to the home is a chef-grade kitchen with a Viking range, two sinks, custom cabinetry, and marble and butcher-block countertops. Both the living room and dining room feature steel-and-glass French doors that open to bluestone terraces, which are ideally suited for entertaining with their gas firepit and built-in outdoor kitchen.

All of the bedrooms are in corners, providing privacy and views, including the primary suite with its lake-view sunroom. Speaking of light, a lower-level space is sunny and could be used as an office, guest room, or creative studio.

“It’s an old house with soul, and you’ve got these wonderful materials, but literally everything’s been done and you don’t necessarily see that,” says Sajer. “It’s all new, but it doesn’t scream ‘new,’ and it has all this warmth.”

Located in Mount Baker, the neighborhood has access to Lake Washington and features lots of green space. This house is only a block from the lake.

“Mount Baker was laid out by the Olmsted brothers ... according to the topography of the area. You see these beautiful curved streets that take in the view and the gracious surroundings,” she says. “Lake Park Drive runs through Mount Baker Park. You have trails, tennis courts, and a playground, and it spills right into the lakefront.”

Although the home does not have a historical designation, the neighborhood attracts buyers committed to retaining the historical integrity. With this house, all of the restoration work has been done.

“People really want to be in these older established neighborhoods where you have the wonderful architecture and the brick legacy, but not everyone wants to redo the plumbing and the electrical. This house did all that,” says Sajer.

Mount Baker is also desirable because homes here don’t come on the market often.

“I sell a lot in that neighborhood. All of my sellers have been there either 30, 40, or 60 years. It’s that vibe of a neighborhood where people stay forever,” says Sajer.

The listing also includes a detached two-car garage.