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Why a Remodeled Split Level in Mead School District Deserves a Second Look
Split levels have a reputation, and most of it is outdated. When one is renovated with care, it can give you more room and more finish for your budget than almost anything else in north Spokane. My listing at 12106 N Fairwood Dr in Fairwood Park is a good example, and the walk-in closet alone tends to change people's minds.
Why Split Levels Get Passed Over
Most buyers picture the dated version: dark paneling, narrow stairs, and rooms that feel chopped up. Those houses exist, and they look cramped in online photos. What gets missed is the bones. Many split levels from the 1970s were built on generous lots in established neighborhoods, with layouts that separate living spaces and a lower level that works as a true second living area. The layout was never the problem. The finishes were.
What a Thoughtful Renovation Changes
This Fairwood Park home is a full custom renovation, not a flip. Herringbone tile runs across the main floor and through the original arches, which were kept instead of squared off. The kitchen has handmade custom cabinetry, a quartz half-waterfall island, a built-in wall oven, and a black farm sink.
Then there is the primary closet. It's a walk-in large enough to convert to a fifth bedroom, the kind of space most buyers assume is out of reach at this price point. The ensuite has heated floors, and the hall bath is finished in Carrera marble.
Downstairs, a soapstone-hearth wood insert and a full bar make the lower level an easy second living room, and a bookshelf door opens to a hidden room. The work that doesn't show up in photos is done too, with a new furnace and AC in 2024 and all new fencing in 2026.
Why Fairwood Park and Mead School District
Fairwood Park is one of north Spokane's established neighborhoods, in the Mead School District, with Mead High School under a mile from this home. The trails along the Little Spokane River are close, and the neighborhood has the mature trees and settled streets that take decades to grow. This home sits on a corner lot at the entrance to a quiet cul-de-sac, with a full-length deck and access to a treed common area out back.
For families, the school district is often the first filter on a home search. A renovated split level in Mead can be the difference between compromising on finishes and getting the house you actually want.
What I Look for in a Split Level
When I walk buyers through a split level, I pay attention to a few things. Light on the lower level matters, so look at window size and how the space feels later in the day. Check the stairs, since they connect every level and tell you a lot about the quality of a renovation. Notice whether the lower level feels like part of the house or an afterthought. And ask what was updated behind the walls, not just on them. In this home, the mechanicals and fencing were part of the plan, which is exactly what you want to see.
Ready to See It?
If a remodeled split level in the Mead School District is on your list, call or text me at 509-818-4881 and I'll set up a time to walk through it with you.
Listed by Hailey Austin and Trevor Austin with eXp Realty, LLC | MLS #202625025
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