On the market: 10 daylight ranch houses with sunshine in the subterranean level – OregonLive

The allure of the midcentury ranch-style house has always been that it can be modified. Add a family room or expand the kitchen by spreading out horizontally into the big backyard.

Dwellings on down-sloping lots have an advantage over the linear ranch house: These daylight ranches look like a single-level home at the street level, but go inside to find a floor below, which unlike a standard basement, has doors and windows that draw in the outside.

In this week's real estate gallery, we look at daylight ranches, in which the back of the house has a bigger view and rooms below are ready for entertaining or renting.

--Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman

Hasson Company

Rec room with a bar in Lake Oswego

What are some of the benefits of a house with a lower level? Activities of all noise levels can be divided: The master suite shares the ground level with the living room and kitchen, while an entertaining bonus room downstairs has its own entry to the backyard.

Here's an example: The floor plan of the daylight ranch at 1405 Country Commons Lane allows for all the main living areas to be easily accessed from the front door.

The 4,083-square-foot house, built in 1959 on 0.56 acres, is listed at $1.2 million by Pat Bangerter and Kathleen Wall of Hasson Company.

Hasson Company

Rec room with a bar in Lake Oswego

The ground-floor family room at 1405 Country Commons Lane has a vaulted ceiling. A master suite, two other bedrooms and bathrooms share this level. Windows frame views of Mount Hood and decks extend the living space outdoors.

Hasson Company

Rec room with a bar in Lake Oswego

The lower-level at 1405 Country Commons Lane has a rec room with a fireplace, bar and an outside entrance plus a fourth bedroom, third bathroom and an office.

Keller Williams Sunset Corridor

Vaulted-ceiling bonus room in Southwest Portland's Vermont Hills

The daylight ranch on 0.27 acres at 6209 S.W. Tower Way is listed at $850,000.

The 1955 dwelling has been restored to its original architectural integrity, with refinished wood floors, new roof and exterior paint, says listing agent Kristin Rader of Keller Williams Sunset Corridor.

The vintage kitchen has refinished wood cabinets, a green apple-colored counter, walk-in pantry and modern stainless-steel appliances.

There are five bedrooms, three bathrooms and 3,764 square feet of living space plus a deck and patio with sunset views.

Keller Williams Sunset Corridor

Vaulted-ceiling bonus room in Southwest Portland's Vermont Hills

The vaulted-ceiling bonus room 6209 S.W. Tower Way has a shuffleboard inlaid into the floor as well as a wet bar, fireplace and a sliding door to the patio.

Premiere Property Group

Multigenerational living in Milwaukie

The daylight ranch, built in 1955 on a 10,018-square-foot lot at 3231 S.E. Sellwood St., is listed at $475,000.

There are original hardwood floors, wood-burning fireplaces and 2,960 square feet of living space.

Three of the four bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms are on the main level while the lower level is set up for multigenerational living or a private apartment with its own driveway, entrance, full kitchen, bathroom and bedroom.

Premiere Property Group

Multigenerational living in Milwaukie

"Spacious home with mid-century charm and thoughtful updates," say listing agents Steve Nassar and Taylor Racek of Premiere Property Group of the property at 3231 S.E. Sellwood St.

Living Room Realty

Completely remodeled daylight ranch in Arnold Creek

The daylight ranch, built in 1964 on 0.88 acres at 12132 S.W. 29th Ave., is listed at $925,000.

The house was completely remodeled with high-end windows, lighting and fixtures and sound insulation in the walls and between the floors.

There is a new roof and air conditioning system serving four bedrooms, two bathrooms and 2,744 square feet of living space.

Living Room Realty

Completely remodeled daylight ranch in Arnold Creek

"Rare opportunity to own this stunning mid-century modern ... on a quiet dead-end street with a fully fenced backyard with raised garden boxes and spectacular 180-degree views of Mt. Hood and St. Helens," says listing agent James Peterson of Living Room Realty of the property at 12132 S.W. 29th Ave.

Hasson Company

Floor-to-ceiling windows in Council Crest

The daylight ranch, built in 1953 on an 8,712 -square-foot lot at 4015 S.W. Council Crest Dr., is listed at $1,195,000.

The dwelling, updated with a Euro aesthetic, has wide, plank hardwood floors, white walls and modern railings. There are four bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 3,259 square feet of living space.

Hasson Company

Floor-to-ceiling windows in Council Crest

"Master on the main and floor-to-ceiling windows bring true light in from east to west throughout the day, culminating in exquisite sunsets and big views," say listing agents Kendall Bergstrom-Delancellotti and Bianca Marzolino of Hasson Company of the property at 4015 S.W. Council Crest Dr.

John L. Scott /PTL Metro

Downstairs bonus area in Gresham

The daylight ranch, built in 1959 at 17745 S.E. Richey Road, is listed at $799,000.

The updated midcentury house has seven bedrooms, four bathrooms, a downstairs bonus area and 4,302 square feet of living space.

Wall of windows overlook the backyard and pond. The 8.4-acre property also has a creek, 40-foot-by-60-foot shop, barn, orchard, pool and fenced pasture.

"Possible development opportunity on two tax lots. Buyer to do own due diligence," says listing agent Agim Kaba of John L. Scott /PTL Metro.

John L. Scott /PTL Metro

Downstairs bonus area in Gresham

The living room of the updated midcentury house at 17745 S.E. Richey Road leads to a deck.

Oswego Real Estate Group

Finished daylight basement in Lake Oswego

The daylight ranch, built in 1963 at 2121 Wembley Park Road, is listed at $699,000, which is a "significant price improvement," says listing agent Lindsay Conachy of Oswego Real Estate Group.

The 0.29-acre property in the Uplands with deeded lake easement was listed in August 2019 at $714,900.

The midcentury modern dwelling has 2,592 square feet of living space. There are four bedrooms, a finished daylight basement and new plumbing, tile and fixtures in the three bathrooms.

Oswego Real Estate Group

Finished daylight basement in Lake Oswego

The 1963 dwelling at 2121 Wembley Park Road original hardwood floors.

Rose Country Realty

Eight bedrooms in Dunthorpe

The daylight ranch, built in 1979 on 0.66 acres, at 1873 S.W. Palatine Hill Road, is listed at $949,000.

The dwelling has kitchens on both levels, six bedrooms, three bathrooms and 4,226 square feet of living space plus an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) above the garage with a kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom.

"Lots of potential and awesome income property with rents of $5,575 per month with three tenants, including the ADU," says listing agent Mitch Foteff of Rose Country Realty.

Rose Country Realty

Eight bedrooms in Dunthorpe

The house at at 1873 S.W. Palatine Hill Road has a stone fireplace.

Premiere Property Group

Lower level mini-theater in Lents

The daylight ranch, built in 1953 at 9233 SE Harney Court, is listed at $449,950. There are three bedrooms, two bathrooms and 2,915 square feet of living space.

The 0.31-acre property "needs your love and attention," says listing agent Emilio Fontana of Premiere Property Group.The lower level has a bonus room with a wood laminate floor, wet bar and "an old mini-theater ready to be resurrected."

Premiere Property Group

Lower level mini-theater in Lents

There are hardwood floors, built-in cabinets and a living-dining area with a brick fireplace and walls of windows at 9233 SE Harney Court. The kitchen opens to a family room with a wood stove and sliding door to the backyard and stone patio.

Keller Williams-PDX Central

Architectural basement plans ready in Raleigh Hills

The daylight ranch, built in 1955 at 6260 S.W. Arrow Wood Lane, is listed at $695,000.

The midcentury modern has three fireplaces, three bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and 3,271 square feet of living space.

The daylight basement with outside entrances provided ADU potential, say listing agents Chris Dawkins and Tara Murphy of Keller Williams-PDX Central. "Make it your own with included architectural plans and survey."

The 0.44 acre property has a decks, patios and a heated pool.

Keller Williams-PDX Central

Architectural basement plans ready in Raleigh Hills

The house at 6260 S.W. Arrow Wood Lane has an open floor plan and vaulted living areas with exposed beams

Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox.

More:
On the market: 10 daylight ranch houses with sunshine in the subterranean level - OregonLive