Got Vision? This Restoration Project is Waiting! Circa 1925 House at Library Park, Spencer NC FOR SALE

In 1925 (a mere 100 years ago), this two-story home at 306 Carolina Avenue was likely the crowning glory of the block. Today, the house needs a buyer with a restoration ethic, the vision, and fortitude to return it to its former glory.

Greg Rapp with Salisbury Real Estate LLC has listed this historic Victorian Vernacular house in Spencer, North Carolina for sale. You've seen us talk 'old-houses' before. . . but this one is in the BEST location ~ overlooking the scenic park in the heart of the Town of Spencer's Historic District.

This house's history is vague, but some things we know. The National Register of Historic Places states that the home shows on the Sanborn maps in 1913 (the town of Spencer was founded in 1897). AND . . . because Greg is an old-house enthusiast ~ and owns a very similar circa 1882 Victorian house in Salisbury ~ he can recognize architectural details that narrow the time frame on this fantastic home.

Although Rowan County records show the home built in 1925, this 2,760 square-foot house is likely a circa 1890s home, retaining many details that are replicated in Greg's 1882 house, including arched windowed doors. Likely originally a 2-room-over-2-room home, the house ~ as many of this era experience ~ has seen expansions and modifications through the decades.

There is no sugar-coating it ~ this home is a major renovation and restoration project waiting to happen. This historic house is just a shell today...BUT...this house is built with the quality of materials and workmanship of a bygone era, and stands testimony to the reason we save these historic homes! The current owners started the restoration, so most of the hard structural and framing work is completed. A Victorian Vernacular in style, the house has wonderful space and a great floor plan. It is framed as a 4-bedroom /3.5 bath home with an owner's suite on the main floor.

The house features a large entry foyer where you'll find the staircase with its beautiful original newel post. To the right is the front parlor. As you travel through the house, the dining room is next with a primary 1st floor bedroom to its right. In the rear, clearly an addition, is the kitchen.

Many original features remain, such as the curved staircase landing, fabulous newel posts, original front doors, mantels, and wainscoting. There is a large foyer with a fireplace. The dining room has a large bay window with a high, diamond-pattern window. 

The home likely originally had a wrap-around front porch that spanned the front of the house and wrapped to a door at the dining room. This feature is all but missing today. 

The home's description in the National Register describes the house, saying, "Replacement two-story portico supported by square wood columns; balcony over entry with square balustrade." Indeed, the upper story's 'crow's nest' porch is a special feature, and one that is found on Greg's ca. 1882 house!

The home needs extensive restoration before it is in livable condition, including electricity, plumbing, HVAC, flooring, kitchen, and bathrooms. 

The interior needs extensive rehabilitation and restoration.  All surfaces need to be restored: some original flooring is in place, while other flooring requires replacement. Obviously (see photos), walls will need to be replaced, although most of the framing is intact. (The original walls were once plaster, supported by the lathe you now see.)

The Town of Spencer has seen tremendous revitalization over the last 10 years, and that restoration ethic is in full swing! This property is in the Spencer Historic District, so exterior oversight by the Spencer Historic Preservation Commission applies.  

306 S. Carolina Avenue is located in perhaps THE most desirable location in town, overlooking the highly desirable Library Park.  It is just a few blocks from the coming (under construction) Spencer Downtown Park. The sounds of steam engine whistles often fill the air with nostalgia, with the North Carolina Transportation Museum nearby.

Are you ready to roll up your sleeves to find the glory in this vintage house? Call Greg Rapp, Salisbury Real Estate LLC, at 704.213.6846 to make it happen!

306 S. Carolina Avenue
Spencer, NC 28159
MLS#4251894
$135,000

Greg Rapp 
Salisbury Real Estate LLC 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
GregRappRealtor@gmail.com 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 

Circa 1923 Bungalow ~ Crisp & Clean ~ for Sale with Salisbury Real Estate.

Step back in time to an era of streetcars and phonographs ~ where cozy bungalows lined neighborhood streets, and you sipped lemonade and watched the world go by from your shady veranda . . .

Welcome to 705 North Fulton Street in Salisbury, North Carolina ~ for sale with Greg Rapp, Salisbury Real Estate LLC!

Enter this shining 1,526 s.f., circa 1923 bungalow via the welcoming front porch. Then, step through the custom-stained-glass front door where a spacious living room greets you. Straight away you'll notice the vintage 1923 details: the gorgeous brick fireplace, built-in shelving, and large, handsome windows - all original to the house!

Follow gleaming original hardwood floors through the open floor plan to the dining room, another warm and welcoming space. The current owner enjoyed using this room as a sitting room, and configured the parlor as the dining room.

This clean, crisp 1923 Arts and Crafts home had been completely renovated/restored in 2020! Part of that renovation is the brand-NEW (2020) kitchen with luxury vinyl plank floors (so comfy underfoot!). Granite counters are edged with both granite and subway tile backsplash, while the stove features a decorative tile backsplash. Brand-new cupboards offer plenty of storage!

A sweet laundry room off the kitchen offers shelving that pulls double duty as a pantry! The laundry room leads to a new deck with privacy screen that overlooks the deep backyard. The deck will surely be your favorite entertaining area!

A NEW (2020) hall bath features crisp wainscoting, a walk-in shower, and a lovely farm sink mounted on an antique dresser. 

The main bath WOWS with new subway-tile walls, a deep built-in porcelain tub, and original vintage hex-tile flooring!

The three bedrooms offer more of the beautifully refinished original hardwood floors. The current owner utilized the third and front bedroom as an office, and painted the walls a rich iron-ore grey!

Under the entire footprint of the house, including the front porch, you'll find a huge, functional basement. The basement offers garage door entry at the rear for parking, but its sheer size leaves plenty of room for a workshop and storage spaces, with its tall ceilings and concrete floor. This is another 1,679 feet of space!!

The exterior is a visually pleasing combination of plank, cedar shakes, brick, and granite. The 'rocking-chair' front porch, with its brick and granite details, boasts new flooring and will be your favorite spot for enjoying morning coffee or spending a lazy summer afternoon. The home received a new roof during the renovation (2020).

The historic 1920s-30s North Fulton neighborhood is 2-blocks from Salisbury's beautiful City Park and Hurley Park.  The streetcars are long gone, but just (7) blocks away, you'll find Salisbury's award-winning downtown with unique shops, restaurants, nightlife, galleries, a microbrewery, three community theatres, and public library. 

Need some big-city vibes once in a while? Salisbury is approximately a 1-hour drive from metro Charlotte, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem. Need to get away from the city vibe? Salisbury is a 2-hour drive to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, and approximately 4-hours to our Atlantic Ocean beaches.

So, get ready to put the phonograph on, and step back in time.  Make this clean and crisp, fully restored, vintage house your home!  Call Realtor® Greg Rapp for your private showing: 704.213.6846. 

705 N Fulton Street
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
MLS#4248091
$288,900

Greg Rapp 
Salisbury Real Estate LLC 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
GregRappRealtor@gmail.com 
www.realestatesalisbury.net