$675k West Des Moines home for sale offers amenities, gardening galore

Richard Lane
| Special to the Register

Location, seclusion, and a modern makeover are all assets of a $675,000 home for sale in the often overlooked Thornwood neighborhood, which Realtor Jonathan Musser enthusiastically described as “one of West Des Moines’ best contemporary houses.”

Filling 2,778 square feet on almost an acre of land, the three-bedroom, three-bath house has undergone a series of comprehensive renovations in recent years, while preserving an eye-catching visual style and a distinct interior design absent from many of its neighbors in this region.

Almost invisible from its setting on peaceful Thornwood Road, for the majority of the year a blanket of foliage hides the home from the already quiet residential street. “Most people don’t even know it’s there, unless you happen to accidentally turn back there,” Musser said. “So, you’ve got ultimate privacy and you’re just minutes from Raccoon River Park and Interstate 35.”

A ten-minute drive to the Glen Oaks Country Club, retail and dining at the West Glen Town Center or a short trip to the district’s walking trails, the property’s exterior includes an attached garage and a striking, pitched crown that conceals a conventional flat roof.

Through the front door, painted to match the color of the kitchen cabinets, the main room is reached one step down to create a sunken living room effect. “I think it adds a really cool dimension and architectural aspect to the house,” Musser said.

Elements of the original 1974 design have survived the practical renovations, including exposed brick walls and an arched entrance linking the kitchen to a dining space enhanced by calming views of the backyard trees. For casual meals, a dining nook sits within the kitchen’s clean lines, modern appliances, and fashionable cabinetry.

The main level layout adds a home office, a family room with a fireplace and wet bar, a dedicated laundry space, and a large sun room brightened by more than a dozen windows facing the back garden.

Three bedrooms are all located on the upper level, with the primary bedroom warmed by a fireplace and heated tile floors in the bathroom, and providing direct access to a covered outdoor patio.

More opportunities to enjoy the outdoors are supplied by a lower-level deck that can accommodate a dining table and a couple of outdoor grills. “It’s a great entertaining house,” Musser added.

The illuminated outdoor space is ideal for a tenant with ambitions to nurture a new garden or install a fire-pit and is conveniently plumbed for a potential koi pond.

Adventurous color schemes and unusual design don’t always register with many active house hunters, but Musser and the current residents are confident the next owners will emotionally connect with the property. “It will take a unique buyer that appreciates the seclusion and the architecture,” he explained.

The home is listed at $675,000 by Jonathan Musser of RE/MAX Precision. Contact Musser at 515-953-8466 for more information and a private showing.