1 Dungeness Way - Gustavus Alaska

When I think of some of the "cabins" around Southeast Alaska, I picture decayed logs, water damage, an old tin roof, antique wood stove or even the old oil and wood combination stove.  I see wood plank floors that are uneven and difficult to keep clean.  I see single pane, ineffective windows.  Usually the trees are too close because until the owner wants to sell the cabin, they don't want anybody to see it.

Sometimes the seller hasn't been there to see what Mother Nature can do when you aren't paying attention.

The cabin here was left alone all winter in an area that received 23 feet of snow.  It may have survived that, but before it started melting, several inches of rain landed on the snow.

The neighbors told me it sounded like an earthquake when this place colapsed.  Fortunately the owner was going to tear down the old structure to build something else on his land.  Imagine going to your vacation cabin only to find this!

So, when a seller called me about her "cabin" in Gustavus for $130,000 I wasn't expecting much.  Gustavus is at the head of Glacier Bay and the newer areas are still recovering from being covered by glaciers.  It tends to be wet and boggy.  A few parts of town sit a little higher and will only continue to do so as the land recovers.  There are no building codes and a lot of substandard housing.

This place sits in one of the dryer areas.  In fact, I think it's the best part of Gustavus.  It's near "Four Corners", the main intersection of town.  That's where the gas station is.  On the opposite corner is the restaurant.  The post office is only a few blocks away and the library just beyond that.  The airport is fairly close as well.  Add to that the lot is a nice 1.75 acres.

Imagine my surprise.

Hardy-Plank siding instead of old rotting logs.

Low-E vinyl Anderson windows instead of recycled single pane windows.

There's even a concrete sidewalk and arctic entry.

Excess trees have been removed to let the sunshine in.  The beginnings of a beautiful landscape are in place.  Gustavus boasts some of the best gardens in all of Southeast Alaska.

I see a composite shingle roof, stovepipe properly vented and even correct plumbing vents.

It only gets better.

This place even has a garage!

Not one of those beat up carports, not some detached shed that wants to be a garage.

You can fit a small car in this 275 SF garage.

Still room for your bicylcle which is the preferred method of transportation in Gustavus.  There must be 2 bikes for every resident because all the B&B's have them for guests to use too.

There's a storage loft in the garage also.

No worries - there is a garden shed and a wood shed for all those other necessities.

The exterior of this place was a joy to see.  The walls are R-21 so this place isn't going to be hard to heat.

Time to see what we find inside this adorable 425 SF dwelling.  I could hardly wait.

Nice vinyl floors - easy to keep clean.

Stylish mini-blinds - check.

Vaulted ceilings, nice colors, pristine.

There's a 3/4 bath, nice and modern.  No camping bag showers in this place.  The well seems to deliver adequate water pressure as well.  The water softener helps pull the excess minerals out of the typical Gustavus water.

The utility room doubles as a laundry room and has a front-loading washer.  No wash-buckets and scrub boards needed here.

Heat is supplied by a super-efficient Toyo stove.  These are great because they "sip" oil, take very little floor space, and never get too hot to touch.  There's also a small wood stove to help take out the chill on the cold winter evenings.

I just couldn't get over how well the the space in this little place was being used. 

This just seems like the perfect little summer house. 

People in Gustavus don't like to sit around the house all day.  Gardening is a community obsession.  There are trails to walk, roads to bicycle on, fishing and kayaking to do. 

I actually started thinking about simplifying my own life.  Who needs a big house anyway?  Imagine the time I'd have for the more important things.

This kitchen is efficient and modern.  There is adequate counter space, modern white cabinets with glass doors, refrigerator, range, and adequate lighting.

It turns out I knew the builder, and I've known him since I was a teenager.  All these years, I had no idea of the quality of work he was doing.  I wish I'd known when I built my own place.  This place was built well, and looks as though even Juneau code inspectors would be pleased.

For a summer cabin, this was a welcome surprise.  I was thinking that it would be a great place to park while building something bigger.  After all, not everyone can live so efficiently.  We all have "stuff" and I sure couldn't see a place for a lot of it. 

With 1.75 acres, there is room for a much larger place.  In Gustavus, people like company, but they also like privacy.  This would make a great guest house.  It seeems all the nice houses in Gustavus have guest cabins.

Then I learned, there is a pad in place for the "big house".

Originally this little place was going to be the guest cabin. 

I love my job, especially when I get the honor of representing such a unique property.

If you are interested in this great Gustavus cabin, call today.  I have a feeling it won't be around for long.

Debbie White can help you with all your real estate needs in Juneau, Gustavus, Haines and even remote parts of Southeast Alaska.  For more information, visit http://www.isellalaska.com .