April 22, 2018

ca. 1900 Victorian Vernacular Home in Historic District For Sale ~ $100,000 for 2200 Square Feet

There are plenty of reasons to invest in a historic home. Older homes have character that’s hard to replicate in a newly constructed home. From charm and aesthetics to the value of long-lasting materials and workmanship, purchase an antique home with a long, unwinding story . . . and you have your own piece of history to which you can add your own chapters.

Anyone who appreciates a good antique can understand the nostalgic appeal of an ancient home whose walls are filled with history. Older homes have amazing character traits and historical features that most new homes simply do not have. Oh! Those pretty coal-burning fireplaces, the wood trim and moldings, and those high ceilings — these are all the amazing features that usually do not come in today's mass produced homes. Most of today’s builders do not take the time to dove-tail wooden joints, or hand-scrape large wooden ceiling beams. The custom, hand-crafted qualities of an older home usually mean long-lasting value and a durable structure that one cannot find in today's newer structures. These are the qualities that make us fall in love with a historic home.

There is a reason that older homes are still standing — they were built to last. If you're in the market for a house with a bit of history, Realtor® Greg Rapp knows exactly where you should look:

Circa 1883 Heilig-Wright House



Enter 305 E. Bank Street in the Historic Brooklyn South Square District of Salisbury, North Carolina. This 2,014 square-foot, 3-bedroom/2-bath Victorian farmhouse is nestled up a cobblestone and brick drive into its 200' deep lot amassed with large shade trees. Through its picket fence gate and down through terraced landscape (with HUGE garden potential) sits this striking, freshly painted home. A deep veranda welcomes you to the front door surrounded by sidelights.



This solid home, a restoration in progress, greets you with original wood floors, all freshly refurbished, and vintage coal-burning fireplaces in most rooms. Enter to a large front parlor with original shiplap ceiling and chair rail, and fireplace outfitted with a wood stove
.



Beyond the parlor is a darling formal dining room with exposed brick fireplace chimney creating a focal point. You'll be surprised that 305 E. Bank Street is equipped with an extra large kitchen for a home of this era, complete with a center work island. A kitchen side-door exits to a sweet little porch to the brick driveway. Beyond this highly functional kitchen, with another exposed brick fireplace and loads of cupboard space, you'll find a converted rear porch that is now a nice 1st floor laundry and utility/hobby room. Another side door exits to a sweet little brick patio and the fenced back yard. The home's second modernized bath is in this rear portion of the home.









To the left of the front parlor and handsome staircase ~ a large first floor owner's suite awaits. The master bath is newly remodeled with adorable bathroom with claw foot tub, modern shower, and large walk-in closet.  The vintage dresser is re-purposed as a wonderful single-sink vanity that just exudes charm, as does the triple paneled antique mirror above.





Upstairs, flanking a small center landing, you'll find two charming dormered-ceiling bedrooms with 4-over-4 mullioned windows and more shiplap ceilings.




The Norfolk-Southern Railway

An ever-present feature of Salisbury NC is the interlacing of Norfolk Southern rail track. Emanating from the historic Train Depot, the trains and track are part of the rhythm of everyday life in this southern town. The Heilig-Wright House cozies up to a historic ravine where the trains traverse in rhythmic sequence. The ravine and track here predate the Civil War. The neighborhood, in fact, is the site of a Confederate prison, and many homes in the district also saw the war come and go.



Most folks in the neighborhood are accustomed to the sound of trains, both passenger and freight, as well as the occasional steam engine on its way to the North Carolina Transportation Museum to the north in Spencer, NC. 


Norfolk-Southern recently designated the neighborhood a 'quiet zone', which means the passing trains no longer blow whistles or sound horns, but the rumble of the 'iron horse' is still a presence.  We paraphrased this about living near railroad tracks:

"Directly across the street from my parents house, where I lived for 23 years, are train tracks. There are weeks where a train passes every 2 hours night or day, and weeks where it passes only 1-2 times night or day. It is definitely loud, and will cause the house to vibrate. The noise never bothered me. As a child and adult I was able to sleep through it. It may take awhile to get used to it, though. The house is in an ideal location, besides having train tracks for a neighbor, minutes from downtown, easily accessible from 2 major highways, schools, banks, and grocery stores just a mile or so away." (Kelly Toupal, Home Buyer, Milpitas CA - https://www.trulia.com/voices/Home_Buying/Home_value_next_to_a_train_track)





This relayed story of living by rail tracks reminds us of this vintage 2014 square foot Victorian at 305 E. Bank Street in the Brooklyn South Square neighborhood, just blocks from Salisbury's award winning downtown, vibrant with nightlife, restaurants, breweries, and a thriving arts and theater district. 

305 E. Bank Street, in addition to its quality construction, features a deep lot with mature shade trees, the rear yard encircled by high stockade-style privacy fencing. While sharing a driveway with another vintage home next door, there is ample multi-vehicle parking.




Wide-plank wood floors, solid wood craftsman doors, deep front porches … the list of reasons to love an elderly home could go on forever. To a certain extent, you can replicate these characteristics in a newly built home, however; a new home usually comes with a young neighborhood that is still developing...which means no big century-old oak tree in the front yard, and unpredictable neighborhood developments. A tree-lined street and quaint neighborhood do not happen overnight, hence the appeal of older neighborhoods where everything is in place and established.




You have to love an antique home for what it is — old. It will consume you (and your wallet) if you try to completely modernize an antique home. Yes, 305 E. Bank Street is a restoration work in progress. Complete modernization can be done, but are you sure you want to?  Often, the very reason you fall in love with a vintage home in the first place is its aged character. There are certain quirks that you may want retain. The creak of the floors, the door that won't stay closed on dry days and then sticks on humid days — all are quaint characteristics of an old home that add a certain charm and lived-in feeling. Remodel what you absolutely have to, but think about keeping some of the original historic appeal. (Adapted from: Shelley Little, http://freshome.com/2014/06/17/10-things-nobody-tells-buying-older-home/#ixzz4oRhparXR)



The custom, hand-crafted qualities of a vintage historic home translate to long-lasting value and a durable structure. There is a reason these older homes in Salisbury NC are still standing — they were built to last, and these are the qualities that make us fall in love with a historic home. 

If you're in the market for a house with a bit of history, Realtor® Greg Rapp at (704) 213-6846 / GregRappRealtor@gmail.comknows exactly where you should look:

305 E. Bank Street
Salisbury, North Carolina 28144
CMLS#3382885
$100,000








Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 





#GregRappRealtor #OldHouseGuy #SellingSalisbury #HomesforSale #RealEstateSalisbury

April 20, 2018

Wonderful Neighborhood - Wonderful Home For Sale! For You!


The 1960s style suburban house.  You know the look, a sort of Colonial design . . . but maybe not really?


What is really important is ... is it well-maintained? Do you like the layout? Do you like the location? Is it close to work and school? Can you do what's important to you without having to drive for hours through heavy traffic?

Welcome to 214 Stonewall Road in Salisbury, North Carolina.




Henderson Estates is an established neighborhood in Salisbury, North Carolina at the gateway to the prestigious Country Club neighborhood of fine homes, peaceful winding roads, and huge old shade trees.  Here you'll find 241 Stonewall Road, a 1960s home that typifies the residential architecture of the era.  Designed in the Colonial style, this quality built, 2-story home offers many features.  One of these features, we'll tell you right out the gate, is the low maintenance brick and hard board siding and handsome shuttered trim.





Within its 2,220 square feet of living space, you'll enjoy formal dining and living rooms, each featuring pretty windows letting in loads of natural light.







The dining room's handsome masonry fireplace is a focal point in this warmly wood-paneled room.





For more informal gatherings, the heated and cooled sunroom is the place to be, with it's beamed ceilings, skylights, and brick wall. A deep fenced back yard with gravel patio, pergola, and fire pit await beyond.






A cozy kitchen offers a pretty black and white tile backsplash and plenty of cupboards and storage.




Upstairs, this 3 bedroom/2.5 bath home offers a large owner suite with its own full master bathroom. 







Two more bedrooms and another full bath are found on the upper level.


241 Stonewall Road has a single-car garage that would make a wonderful workshop. Just inside, you'll find a small 'breezeway' or utility room with mid-century 'broken-tile' terracotta floor and a wet sink. 




What is really important ... is it well-maintained? 


This circa 1963 large home is in very good condition, offering newer replacement windows, a heat pump upstairs, and oil-fired heat on the first story. The sunroom is heated and cooled with with its own units. 


What is really important ... do you like the location?


Is it close to work and school? Can you do what's important to you without having to drive for hours through heavy traffic?


241 Stonewall, while nestled in its more than half-acre yard in this peaceful neighborhood, is close to Salisbury's downtown, where you'll find plenty of unique shopping, eateries, breweries, theaters and much more. The Interstate has (3) junctions in Salisbury, so getting places is a snap, but you won't be fighting insane traffic like in larger municipalities in this community of just under 40,000 people. Four colleges make there home here: Catawba College, Livingstone College, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, and Hood Theological Seminary. And Salisbury's wonderful park system offers greenways year-round.  Are you a golfer?  The Country Club of Salisbury is literally around the corner!  Are you a water lover? High Rock Lake with swimming, boating, and fishing is just a stone's throw away.



This fine home is for sale with Realtor Greg Rapp of Wallace Realty. If it's time for you to make that move, this quality home may be just the one for you! Give Greg a call at 704.213.6846 to see 241 Stonewall Road and its pretty neighborhood for yourself. The time is NOW!









241 Stonewall Road
Salisbury NC 28144-2859
$170,000
CMLS#3381031







Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 




#GregRappRealtor #OldHouseGuy #SellingSalisbury #HomesforSale #RealEstateSalisbury

April 11, 2018

List Your Property With Realtor Greg Rapp ~ and Get it SOLD.


Greg Rapp, with Wallace Realty, has been selling homes in the Salisbury-Rowan County area for over 15 years, and in that time has established himself as one of Salisbury's top real estate agents.


See for yourself what's happening on the Greg Rapp real estate front:



300 Heilig Avenue, Salisbury NC


Greg listed this cute home for sale on March 16th, 2018. Seventeen days later, on April 2nd, this fine home was under contract.




1433 Parkview Circle, Salisbury NC


Greg listed this move-in-ready 3 bedroom/2 full bath home with 24x24 detached garage on March 10th, 2018, and guess what happened: It went under contract in just FOUR hours, that's what happened!


Today's housing market has taken a sharp turn towards the sellers' market. There are more buyers than available homes for sale right now, and this phenomenon is found across North Carolina today. What does this mean? It means if you are thinking of moving, downsizing, relocating, or selling your home for whatever the reason....NOW IS THE TIME! And Realtor Greg Rapp is known for his unique interconnected Internet marketing strategy - recognized for attracting buyers from a wide national reach.


If you're thinking of selling your home, contact Greg Rapp at (704) 213-6846 or GregRappRealtor@gmail.com and let's get it on the market today. While we can't promise a 4-hour turn-around...you never know! Clearly, it can happen and the time is NOW

Set up a consultation today, you'll be glad you did!








Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 





#GregRappRealtor #SellingSalisbury #OldHouseGuy #historichouses #listwithgregrapp

A Circa 1895 Victorian isn't for Everyone: When Patience Wins!

Patience wins!

We know a sprawling 3,600+ square foot, 123 year-old Victorian home is not for everyone. But we also know that buyer who appreciates the character and quality circa 1895 home, that you simply cannot find in today's building standards or materials, will come along. Especially when the home is completely restored, turn-key, and move-in-ready.


Enter the story of the M.C. Rufty House ~ the gracious and eclectic ca. 1895 Victorian in the Brooklyn South Square historic District of Salisbury, North Carolina. Listed by historic property specialist Greg Rapp of Wallace Realty in May of 2017, the home entertained dozens of interested buyers. Greg has a marketing strategy for 'old houses' that works, coupled with specialized video that let's potential buyers 'tour' the home. Yet, time, and seasons, (and more video) went by. In March of 2018, patience wins! The M.C. Rufty Home is under contract!



Why wait?


The hottest real estate markets in the U.S. — San Francisco, Manhattan, and Boston, among others - all have predominantly historic homes. After decades trying to build the idyllic suburban 'town center', it turns out that early city planners did it just right 100 years ago – which is why the downtown historic real estate market is back in a big way with Generation X and millennial home buyers. According to a recent National Trust For Historic Preservation report, millennials are overwhelmingly on the move downtown.



Authentic architectural design features are reflective of an original commitment to artistry and quality that has stood the test of time, and Realtor Greg Rapp makes sure that potential buyers know it. The oldest homes often have the most jaw dropping interiors, and younger buyers love old-meets-new. It’s the luxury real estate equivalent of buying a new $450 pair of jeans that are already ripped and faded. Many assume that most of the historic homes automatically come with cold claw foot tubs, drafty windows, small rooms, and old kitchens. Everything has a stereotype. What we know is that virtually every historic home has had at least one owner (if not more) who was willing to bang down the walls, open up a master suite, rock a garden tub, chef out the kitchen and put in a state-of-the-art laundry room. Voila! Historic architecture meets modern luxury. (Adapted from 4 reasons buyers love historic homes-- and how to market them , MEGGEN TAYLOR. Inman.com, February 3, 2016)




The right buyer. The right Realtor.


The right buyer will come along for your historic house, especially if you list with the right real estate agent! Give Greg Rapp a call at 704.213.6846, and let his marketing strategy work for you. Homes are selling much more quickly today (than one year ago), so if you're even thinking of moving, downsizing, relocating . . . now is the time to list your 'old house' with Greg Rapp.

Call or text today! 704.213.6846






Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 





#GregRappRealtor #SellingSalisbury #OldHouseGuy #historichouses #listwithme