Timeless Charm - 1922 Arts & Crafts Bungalow in Spencer NC - For Sale

Step into the timeless charm of this authentic 1922 Arts & Crafts bungalow, listed for sale with Salisbury Real Estate LLC!

Welcome to the circa 1922 RJ McAdams House, 401 7th Street, nestled on a corner lot in the tree-lined heart of historic Spencer, North Carolina.  Every detail of this home has been thoughtfully preserved or enhanced, offering classic character with tasteful updates.  Let Realtor® Greg Rapp show you the romance of living in an authentic Craftsman home.

Known locally as the 'Holiday House' and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the home’s exterior has been meticulously painted in a historically accurate Arts & Crafts color scheme, highlighting its pleasing architectural lines and adding striking curb appeal.  A gracious front porch spans the width of the house, featuring authentic details such as the tall stone-capped brick piers, tapered columns, and elegant woodwork — ideal for relaxing beneath the canopy of shade trees.

Inside, you'll find beautiful original heart-of-pine floors and an amazing array of light-filled, classic 4-over-1 windows.  The living room boasts a handsome original brick fireplace (not functioning) and built-ins. The living room opens to the formal dining room, creating a warm, connected living space perfect for entertaining or everyday enjoyment.  French doors originally separated the opening between these two rooms, and they are stored in the basement, should the new owner choose to reinstall them.

The vintage kitchen offers both charm and function, featuring pretty countertops, original cabinetry, an in-kitchen laundry area, and a dishwasher (not yet connected).  A door here leads to the cozy rear screened porch, a tiny sanctuary that overlooks the expanse of green space in the backyard —a peaceful retreat!

Gorgeous French doors lead to a bonus room that would be ideal as an office, studio, or bedroom #3 in this two-bedroom/one-bath home.  The layout offers flexibility to suit your lifestyle.

 

A convenient walk-out basement offers abundant storage or workshop potential, and the unique carport, original to the house, adds architectural flair, functionality, and curb appeal.  The current owners installed a new roof in 2017.  Vintage light fixtures have been fully rewired. The central AC needs attention. There is a common alley behind and at the back of the property.

Speaking of property, there are two curb cuts for driveway aprons on the east side of the property along S. Carolina Avenue.  New owners of the RJ McAdams House could easily install a curved driveway at this elevation, with Historic Preservation Commission approval and any necessary permits!

Town of Spencer Historic District Design Standards apply to the RJ McAdams House.  Certificates of Appropriateness (COA) are required for any exterior renovations.  Before any work can begin, the Spencer Historic Preservation Commission reviews applications and conducts a hearing.

401 7th Street is located just a few blocks from the town's beautiful Library park,  the NC Transportation Museum, downtown shops, and local dining.  You can't beat the small-town charm Spencer, NC has to offer ...but if you need some big-city vibes once in a while, Salisbury is just down the road with vibrant nightlife, theatre, live music, restaurants, and unique shops.  Spencer is approximately a 1-hour drive from metro Charlotte, Greensboro, and Winston-Salem.  Need to get away from the city vibe? Spencer is a 2-hour drive to the gorgeous Blue Ridge Mountains, and approximately 4-hours to our Atlantic Ocean beaches.

With its timeless charm, thoughtful updates, and authentic details, this home is a true piece of Spencer’s architectural legacy a rare opportunity to own a striking piece of Spencer’s history!  Take a virtual tour > HERE < . . . then call Greg Rapp with Salisbury Real Estate LLC to schedule your private showing of this standout gem: 704.213.6846 

401 7th Street
Spencer, North Carolina 28159
Charlotte MLS #4260570
$225,000

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

Another Historic Treasure - SOLD - by Greg Rapp & Salisbury Real Estate LLC

What is special about an old house?  Just about everything!

Old houses tell a story. They have a history. There is something about running our hands down a banister that generations of people have held in their hands for centuries, giving us a sense of place and time and a perspective on where we fit in this huge, sometimes impersonal world. You are a small but important part of a much greater story. 

Welcome to the circa 1828 Jesse A. Clement House in Mocksville, North Carolina, entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. Greg Rapp of Salisbury Real Estate LLC just closed on the sale of this special piece of history, protected by covenants with Preservation North Carolina.

According to local tradition, the house was built around 1828 and was the center of a large plantation. The Jesse A. Clement House, a two-story brick structure, was built for a member of a prominent western Piedmont family. The regional Federal character of the house reflects construction methods of the period in Rowan and Davie County areas. Sturdy, boxy, two-story brick houses of the early-19th century, rare in eastern North Carolina, are a key element in the architectural development of the Piedmont. 

Clement was a prosperous local businessman who owned a tannery, two plantations, and a brokerage firm dealing in plug tobacco, cotton, and wheat. He was also a North Carolina House of Commons member in 1838-1839. Clement's brother, John, was a member of the North Carolina House of Commons and introduced the legislation that formed Davie County from a part of Rowan County in 1836. Clement's sons, Baxter Clegg and William, migrated to Arkansas, where William served in the state senate and as lieutenant governor, and Baxter Clegg practiced medicine. During the Civil War, Jesse Clement, the home's namesake, at 53 years old, commanded a regiment known as the "Davie Greys". He died at 68 in 1876. 

A history book contains pictures and stories of what life was like in years gone by, but those stories are locked within the boundaries of the binding. A museum displays artifacts from these times, but they are roped off and safely behind glass. But, walking into a historic house is like stepping back in time and being wrapped up in the pages of that history book- being a part of the history. We are tactile beings, and the ability to touch and interact with pieces of history is the most profound way to connect to the time and place they came from. 

An avenue of trees once led to the early 19th-century home of Jesse A. Clement in Mocksville, North Carolina. The approach road to the two-story brick house no longer falls between these rows of trees, yet both the house and the trees still stand as reminders of the social, economic, and political contributions of the Clement family to Davie County. 

Old houses often possess a unique blend of historical charm, solid construction, and architectural character that modern homes may lack. They can tell stories through their unique features, craftsmanship, and the materials used. 

So . . . what makes an old house special? 

1. Historical Charm and Character: 

• Unique Architectural Features: Old houses often have architectural styles and details that are not commonly seen in modern construction, like intricate woodwork, crown moldings, and ornate fireplaces. 

• Craftsmanship: Older homes often showcase meticulous craftsmanship, with details and finishes that are often lacking in modern homes. 

• Sense of History: These homes can connect you to the past, providing a glimpse into how people lived in previous eras. 

2. Solid Construction: 

• Quality Materials: Older homes are often built with durable materials like old-growth lumber, plaster walls, and sturdy foundations, making them potentially more resilient than newer homes. 

• Strong Structure: The construction methods of older homes, like hand-nailed framing and solid walls, can provide a more structurally sound and stable home. 

3. Unique Features and Details: 

• Built-in Storage: Old houses often have features like built-in closets, pantries, or cellars that provide extra storage space. 

• Specialized Features: Some older homes may have features like coal chutes, dumbwaiters, or other elements that reflect the lifestyles of the past. 

• Natural Cooling: Homes built before air conditioning was common often have features that promote natural cooling, like thicker walls and layouts that allow for cross-breezes.

When it comes to selling and finding the right buyer for vintage and historic houses, Greg Rapp with Salisbury Real Estate LLC is the agent to contact.  With an in-depth knowledge of old structures and the intricacies of the inspections and transaction details combined with a passion for preservation, Greg offers a level of confidence a historic home sale demands that few agents can meet. 

Ready to buy or sell a vintage structure?  Whether residential or commercial property, Greg Rapp is the agent to call:  704.213.6846.  Let history repeat!

The Jesse A. Clement House
290 E Maple Avenue
Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
Charlotte MLS#: 4215095 

$695,000 

Listed by Cristi Sims | Ranson Real Estate Inc.

SOLD by Greg Rapp | Salisbury Real Estate LLC

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

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