414 Park Avenue ~ A Restoration Artisan’s Victorian ~ $69,900 for 4,000 Square Feet of Living!

At the gateway to the Historic Park Avenue/Long Street Historic District, 414 Park Avenue with nearly 4,000 square feet of living space is everything the restoration craftsman wants in a historic Victorian. Like many Victorian homes of its day, 414 Park Avenue's exterior is graced with a wonderful wrap-around front porch and (2) sitting balconies.  The home features enormous rooms, hardwood floors, ample center hallways, and (8) fireplaces!  414 Park Avenue has a large back yard with a detached one-car garage.  

The North Long Street~Park Avenue Historic District was posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1985.  The neighborhood features architecture from the late 19th and 20th Century Revival: Colonial Revival; American Movement: Bungalow/Craftsman; Victorian: Gothic.  The architecturally significant periods are: 1900-1924; 1875-1899; 1925-1949.  There are over 46 properties considered "Contributing Properties". 

This house, already a jewel in the neighborhood's crown, will be a masterpiece when its restoration and rehabilitation are complete.  A good portion of the home's restoration process has already been completed, yet there is more to do!  The renovated kitchen is delightfully large and sunny and features granite counter tops and wonderful lighting.  It opens with French doors to the renovated dining room (currently being utilized as a family room/den) with built-in china cabinet. The kitchen additionally features a walk-in pantry and rear mudroom that opens to a walled patio space that was once an enclosed room.  

The asymmetrically-massed house is sheltered by a shingled roof that is enlivened by a projecting pediment gable, a hip extension, and hip-roofed dormers.The terraced front lawn and wide central walk is enclosed with picket fencing. The concrete staircase from the city sidewalk to the front entry welcomes guest with a pergola at the gate. The over 500 sq ft wrap-around porch is straightforward in design without the more elaborate trimmings of the Victorian era. Windows in plain surrounds and a second floor balcony all complete the façade.

The first floor ceiling height reaches 11 ft. in most rooms. The center hall plan is finished with symmetrically molded surrounds, a turned baluster staircase, and original fireplace with its clean-lined mantel. Numerous original features still remain and include fireplace and mantels in many of the rooms.  

The terraced front lawn, with landscaping and large, shady old growth trees, is enclosed with picket fencing.  The staircase from the city sidewalk to the central entry walkway welcomes guests with a pergola over-structure at its gate.  The large back lawn includes a detached one-car garage.

Built as an elegant single-family residence, the property is presently occupied. 414 Park Avenue has (5) bedrooms, (4) baths (only one bath is operational). Home has NO Heat or A/C so it will need HVAC installed. The current owners use window heat and air units to heat and cool house.

This is a work in progress!  This c. 1900 property shows signs of its  history and the seller has priced it in relation to the average value of similar houses in the area with consideration for the work that needs to be finalized.  The listing price of $69900. reflects the remaining needed restoration vs. the grand scale of this 4000 square-foot home. The shingled roof is approximately 10-15 years old, and in good shape, apart from a flat roof with an intermittent leak in a rear bedroom that should be repaired. 

414 Park Avenue has tremendous potential to be a live/work property, provide rental revenue, or convert to a B&B or restaurant. The local community is willing to work with a new owner on redevelopment or improvements.  A preliminary cost budget for renovations can be made available by a preservation contractor.

414 Park Avenue is within walking distance to Historic Downtown Salisbury’s shops, restaurants, and galleries. The Park Avenue Historic District has been heavily invested in by the City of Salisbury with streetscapes, a central park, and adaptive reuse in the restoration of the historic Kesler Mills company stores.

Greg Rapp is showing this house in the "Buy History" event on August 28th.  If you  are not able to catch this annual event, contact Greg at 704.213.6846 to get a glimpse of the wonderful restorative potential that is 414 Park Avenue.

2nd Annual “Buy History” Open House Weekend in Historic Salisbury, NC.

Historic home lovers!  Here is the event you've been waiting for!  In it's second year, coordinated by Salisbury North Carolina's Historic Neighborhoods Alliance, the 2nd annual "Buy History" Historic Home Open House is around the corner.  Real estate agents listing historic homes will jointly conduct an 'open house' of their properties.  This is a wonderful opportunity to see, in one swoop, as many historic homes for sale as possible in Salisbury’s historic districts over one weekend.

Mark your calendar and come to Salisbury NC for the "Buy History" Open House

 1 to 4 pm, Sunday, August 28^th 2011

This event promote sales of historic homes, the livability of Salisbury’s historic neighborhoods, and raises awareness of the benefits of living in Salisbury’s historic districts. The annual "Buy History" event compliments the efforts of the Historic Salisbury Foundations annual October Tour of Historic Homes, scheduled annually the second weekend in October.  This year marks the 36th annual October Tour, a ticketed event, that will feature 9 historic sites dating from 1790 to 1928.

During the "Buy History" event, real estate agents will be on hand to answer your questions about each historic home.  "Buy History" will feature the following historic homes-for-sale in Salisbury NC:

429 Park Avenue ~ c 1900

429 Park Ave.

4 Bed 3 Bath ~2,348 sqft
$150,000

414 Park Ave.5 Bed 4 Bath ~3,933 sqft
$89,900

325 Mitchell Ave.

3 Bed 2 Bath ~1,763 sqft
$127,500

425 Maupin Ave

414 Park Avenue ~ c 1900

5 Bed 2 Bath ~3,201 sqft
$169,900

601 Maupin Ave.

3 Bed 1 Bath ~1,532 sqft
$129,900

321 W. Horah #2A

3 Bed 2 Bath ~ 2,171 sqft
$289,000

412 Wiley Ave.

3 Bed 1.5 Bath ~2,477 sqft
$119,000

For a complete listing of the 'Buy History' open houses, see the Thursday August, 25, 2011 Salisbury Post article titled, Buy History! event to help stoke interest in older houses by Emily Ford.  For more information about 'Buy History', contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846.

The Giordana Crossroads Classic Criterium 2011 ~ Salisbury NC ~ Thursday Aug 4th

August 4, 2011 in Downtown Salisbury

The 2011 Giordana Crossroads Classic presented by Salisbury-Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a five-race five-day individual omnium (a multiple race event in track cycling) that visits three different NC cities.  All races will be held in exciting downtown venues except the High Rock Road Race on Saturday Road Race.

This Thursday evening, August 4^th, 2011, The Giordana Crossroads Classic will make its way to the City of Salisbury, NC with one of the most unique courses during the nine-day event. The course in Salisbury is a “figure-eight” loop that is exciting for the race participants and spectators. Night races are supplemented with much additional lighting. 

For over 250 years Downtown Salisbury has been recognized for its beauty and considered a unique place in N.C. for shopping, dining, sightseeing and relaxing. Salisbury's diversity of shops, restaurants, antique stores, living history, and cultural attractions promise an extraordinary experience! Downtown Salisbury is a great place to spend a day, a weekend or a lifetime. For more info, visit  http://www.downtownsalisburync.com/

Giordana Crossroads Classic

The Crossroads Classic is five days of criterium bicycle racing designed to attract professional and amateur cyclists from all of the country to the Piedmont of North Carolina.  The cyclists will compete for $30,000 during the five days and will travel to five different North Carolina cities: Mocksville, Concord, Salisbury, Charlotte, Statesville, and Harrisburg.

What is a criterium? 

A criterium is a bicycle race on a closed circuit less than a mile in length where cyclists complete multiple laps.  Depending on category, race distances may vary between 25 and 50 miles in length and the fast action and high visibility are a real crowd pleaser. 

Photo by Ken Keefner

Why is a criterium so exciting? 

When 100 plus cyclists try to take a 90 degree turn elbow to elbow at over 30 miles per hour, there tends to be a little rubbing and bumping, sometimes even a few crashes.  NASCAR on two-wheels!!! Visit http://www.crossroadscyclingclassic.com/index.htm for more info!

Come out and enjoy the action in Salisbury, NC.  There will food and drink available at all race venues.  There will also be entertainment for the kids: giant inflatable moonwalk and slide.

While you are in Salisbury, take a stroll or drive around Salisbury’s 10 Downtown Historic Districts.  There are many wonderful 19^th and 20^th century homes there for sale as well as several outstanding commercial properties in the most central location in North Carolina.  Call Greg Rapp to have a closer look at these properties: 704.213.6846.

Map of Criterium

Salisbury:   Take I-85 to exit 76, US-52/E Innes St. Travel northwest on US-52/E Innes St approximately one mile to downtown Salisbury.  Turn right onto Lee St.  There are several parking lots on your left.

Another reason to choose Salisbury NC for your next home or business!!!  Contact Greg Rapp, 704.213.6846 for more info.

317 S. Shaver Street ~ Brooklyn South Square ~ circa 1900 Cottage for under $100K!

317 S. Shaver Street under $100K!

In the heart of the Salisbury, North Carolina, Brooklyn South Square Historic District, a newly listed turn-of-the-century cottage, circa 1900, awaits its new owners! Built in 1900, 317 S. Shaver Street, while retaining its cottage charm, has been modernized to suit today's lifestyles. In 2008, the home was totally renovated and updated to include all new mechanicals: new HVAC, plumbing, electric, and a new roof. Kitchen and baths were also completely redone with new cabinets, fixtures, and ceramic tile floors.The home retains one original Victorian style mantle and most of its original hard wood floors, which have been refinished to a soft gleam.



Living Room with Banquette Seating

Ample room sizes in 317 S. Shaver Street offer great living or entertaining space! This spacious single-story home, with over 1500 square footage, includes a 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms (with plenty of storage space), laundry room, a highly-sought-after eat-in-kitchen, and a wide-open living room.  The living room includes one of the home's two fireplaces that introduces comfort, luxury and warmth to the room. A wonderful modern touch to the living room is the inviting, and space-saving, banquette -- also known as a bench seat -- along the fireplace wall, offering a contemporary and smart solution to guest seating.

Front Porch with Landscaping

In this home, one will have the exceptional opportunity to sit near the fireplace every day with family and friends.The front porch, in typical turn-of-the-century style, offers a quiet reprieve and cool breezes in summer.  A covered back porch looks over an expansive back yard, a terrific artist's canvas waiting to be filled with gardens, patios, and outdoor living spaces. One of the super-roomy bedrooms, where you will find the second of the home's two fireplaces, is currently painted a soothing midnight blue and is used as a home office.

Bedroom used as Home Office

The current owner has decorated this charming Victorian~era cottage in a harmonious Mid-Century theme that suits the home very well. The home's welcoming entry is highlighted by a beautifully landscaped front yard featuring mature crepe myrtles, liriope, and bedding gardens filled with impatiens and colorful annuals. Through the front entry, with its Arts & Crafts style front door, you'll walk into a generous center hallway and the main living room area. High ceilings abound in true 1900's style.

Spacious Eat-In Kitchen

317 S. Shaver Street is located in the center of Salisbury's Brooklyn South Square Historic District, placing it within walking distance to Salisbury's Historic Downtown area, which offers an award winning theater complex, shopping, restaurants, Public Library, and the Farmers Market (seasonal). The Brooklyn South Square neighborhood sits on a Civil War history-rich site that was formerly the location of the Salisbury Confederate Prison Grounds. More information on the Brooklyn South Square neighborhood, visit Brooklyn-South-Square-Historic-District .

Location~Location~Location! 317 S. Shaver Street and the Brooklyn South Square neighborhood  is centrally located in North Carolina, minutes from Interstate-85, and roughly 45 minutes from Charlotte, Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point. You will be just 4-5 hours from the Carolina beaches or a short 2-hour drive to the artsy Asheville area.

Stimulating and warming, the synergy that 317 S. Shaver Street, with it's historic place in the community and its modern living advantages, evokes is a feeling of comfort and hearth, both familiar and invigorating. This wonderful home can be yours for under $100K!  Call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 to see this circa 1900 charmer today!


 

History Abounds in Brooklyn South Square Historic Downtown Salisbury Neighborhood

c. 1800's ~ 200 Block of E. Bank Street

Salisbury North Carolina's Brooklyn South Square Historic District, consisting of the large elaborate houses of prosperous businessmen and merchants, as well as many of the smaller, more modest cottages of railroad workers, salesmen, and clerks, is an outstanding example of the development of resi­dential neighborhoods at the edge of Salisbury's downtown commercial district during the mid-to-late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Homes classified as Significant or Contributing Structures are located on every street. The focal point of the district is centered on E. Bank Street. The 200 block of E. Bank Street, west of the railroad tracks, contains the district's oldest dwellings, while the largest and most architecturally elaborate houses of the late nineteenth century are found in the 300 and 400 hundred block, and S. Long Street.

Brooklyn South Square History

Now a residential area, Brooklyn South Square was first developed as an industrial area. A cotton factory was erected in this section of town in 1830. The cotton factory operated into the late 1850s but was vacant by the start of the Civil War and was purchased by the Confederate government and converted into a prison. Originally intended to house prisoners of war, it also held criminals and AWOL confederate soldiers.  The prison was abandoned at word of Stoneman's troops approach before the War's end and was completely destroyed by the Union army in 1865. More information about the Salisbury prison can be found here  http://www.gorowan.com/salisburyprison/

c. 1800's Home ~ one of the District's oldest

Following the Civil War, Brooklyn South Square developed slowly. The area comprising the pri­son, which included much of the southern part of the district along both sides of the 300 and 400 blocks of E. Bank Street, was purchased from the Federal government in 1866. The district was only partially developed by 1882, with only twenty-three homes, only nine of which still exist, built by this time. Salisbury's citizens may have attached a certain stigma to living in the area of the prison. This stigma was evidently forgotten, for bet­ween 1882 and 1902 the remaining area of Brooklyn South Square was almost entirely developed and the area of the former prison became the site of the district's most elaborate and impressive homes. By 1902 the district had seventy-five dwellings.

c. 1895 Victorian on E. Bank Street

While Brooklyn South Square’s earliest homes were built during the two decades before the Civil War, most of the district's structures were built during the last quarter of the nineteenth and the first quarter of the twentieth century, much of which was developed on the site of Salisbury’s Civil War Confederate prison. The housing stock of the district consists predominantly of one and two story dwellings built during the last quarter of the nineteenth century and the first quarter of the twentieth century. However, two dwellings, the Woodson-Overcash House at 224 E. Bank (ca. 1840), and the Blackmer-Propst House at 203 S. Lee (ca. 1856) were built prior to the Civil War. The Brooklyn South Square neighborhood contains a rich variety of late Federal, Greek Revival, Italianate, and late Victorian domestic architecture, as well as fine examples of the modest turn-of-the century cottages and bungalows of the early twentieth century. Brooklyn South Square provides an architectural history lesson in the physical evolution of residential neighborhoods around downtown Salisbury from the mid-nineteenth cen­tury to the end of the third decade of the twentieth century.

Turn-of-the-Century Cottages

c. 1900 Cottage Brooklyn South Square

In North Carolina’s growing towns after 1900, "middle class" North Carolina emerged where houses near the center of town had hallways between the rooms, which provided a sense of privacy, and the streets were paved and lit with streetlights. Most had indoor plumbing, furnaces, and telephones. Brooklyn South Square is a wonderfully preserved example of the mid-to-upper class turn-of-the-century neighborhood.

The real estate found in the neighborhood streets of Brooklyn South Square are lined with charming and chic turn-of-the-century cottages with hardwood floors, large sunny eat-in kitchens, living rooms with fireplaces, often with three bedrooms. Many were recently completely and stylishly redecorated. The neighborhood is nestled in the shade of giant old-growth trees, and the more modest cottage homes are often white-picket-fence picturesque. Enjoy the fireplace, or simply enjoy the peace and quiet from turn-of-the-century front porches. From Brooklyn South Square’s convenient location, you can walk to town or bike around Salisbury’s nine other historic neighborhoods. A few minutes’ drive puts you at the High Rock Lake shoreline.  Three out of four seasons, you can stroll just a few short blocks to the Salisbury Farmers Market for locally grown fresh vegetables and grass-fed beef, baked goods, plants and flowers, and fresh eggs.

Salisbury Farmers Market

Brooklyn South Square Salisbury’s First BLOCKwork Award

Brooklyn South Square was selected as the first BLOCKwork project site. On October 22nd, 2011, a group of neighbor-led volunteers will scrub, paint, plant, and repair the 300 block of S. Shaver Street, a charming side street in this historic downtown Salisbury neighborhood.

BLOCKwork is a homegrown program intended to be a holistic approach to how neighborhoods can build accountability for neighborhood character and appearance among themselves, with the slogan, “Accountability happens one block at a time”.

Neighborhoods submitted applications to be considered for an intensive work day incorporating exterior improvements to one city neighborhood block. The work plan is being designed by principal participants and will include a preliminary education phase. Applications were evaluated based on demonstrated need and neighborhood willingness to participate. Program leaders toured candidate blocks with applicants and other planning, code enforcement, police, fire, public services, etc. personnel. Program leaders and support staff met with property owners and renters to determine feasibility of work plan. Brooklyn South Square's Shaver Street will be the pilot block for this City of Salisbury Community Appearance Commission project.

Preserving historic character

1899 Hamill-House Restoration

Historic homes sometimes intimidate people, including young families and new homebuyers. But older homes provide good value for their price and can offer higher quality construction than their newer counterparts. In the past 50 years, America has become a disposable society, including abandoning old homes and buildings. Preserving and reusing those structures can maximize the use of existing materials and infrastructure, reduce waste, as well as preserve the historic character of a city. Additionally, it’s usually cheaper to rehabilitate an older home rather than construct a new one. You’re almost always better off using what you’ve got. Brooklyn South Square, Salisbury North Carolina, has got the value priced homes with higher quality construction that can give their owners pride in maximizing infrastructure.

Historic Homes for Sale in Brooklyn South Square

To see the charm and value of the Brooklyn South Square neighborhood, architecture, and character first-hand, contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846. Unwind from the active lifestyle and enjoy the ambiance of a simpler time that a turn-of-the-century historic neighborhood offers.

429 Park Avenue ~ Wonderfully Restored Victorian ~ History is in your future!

429 Park Avenue in Salisbury North Carolina is a shining example of how a house can be transformed and in doing so, transforms the neighborhood!

This circa 1900 Folk Queen Anne Victorian has been meticulously restored.  The current owners, Garth & Belinda Birdseye, have a knack for restoration and missed no details.  They not only have a passion for old homes, they spend much of their time delving into the restoration of these oft forgotten treasures.

The" restoration" of an old home is very different from a "renovation." The difference between a restoration or a renovation is the care and effort to keep things original. The 429 Park Avenue project is a full restoration/rehabilitation.  As an example, in a restoration the porch is built back to the porch it was originally. However, in a renovation a porch might be left as a sun room and just made to look up to date. Restoration uses materials that would have been used back in that time period such as heart of pine flooring, historically correct paint colors, etc.

Original features

429 Park Avenue architecturally is a one-story Queen Anne complete with many original features to the home.  Original heart pine floors, unique to this region, and original moldings have been restored in many rooms to a soft gleam.  (5) original coal burning fireplaces boast original mantels, beveled mirrors, tile work, and iron screens. Many original lighting fixtures are in place.  Of the (3) updated bathrooms, (2) still have their original deep porcelain claw foot bath tubs!  Many of the doors have original hardware.  What isn't original to the home, the Birdsey's had milled to match.

Perfect for entertaining

429 Park Avenue is a spacious dwelling with over 2300 square feet of living space.  In addition, a 500 square foot wrap-around front porch is the most identifying feature of this specimen home, a wonderful area for entertaining or just relaxing.  The porch is decorated in Victorian style with spindles and millwork. 

Through the front doors you'll find a large central hallway and an immense living room, all with 11-foot ceilings and large bay windows.  The hallway, with its large arched glassed transom, further takes you to the dining room complete with original built-in cabinetry.

An adorable kitchen has been completely renovated. It features all new appliances, bead-board walls, and a new ceramic tile floor.  Off the kitchen are a convenient breakfast room or mud-room ~ a sunny and cheerful back entry to the home ~ AND a walk-in pantry!

The gardens, recognized with the City of Salisbury's Landscape of the Month Award for June 2011, feature ever-blooming roses and 80-year old Japanese maples surrounded by period iron fencing.  A very private side yard is a wonderful place for al-fresco dining and entertaining.


Modern features

With an over 100-year-old home that features so many original details, you may fear that modern conveniences may be missing.  Not so!  The restoration of 429 Park Avenue included insulated walls, and entirely new heating/cooling systems.  The electric and plumbing systems have all been updated.  Garth and Belinda Birdseye renovated this home to live in, and to uplift the neighborhood, not to "flip" as is often done today. 

The home features (3) full bedrooms and (3) full baths.  The sun-bathed Master Bedroom has a master suite for a quiet sitting area.  The master suite could also be another bedroom or office space.  (2) of the bedrooms feature walk-in closets.  You won't find that in every 100+ year home!

The kitchen was completely rebuilt with high end cabinetry. new appliances, and easy-glide drawers.

Location, location, location

Click on the map to see a better location view

429 Park Avenue is located in one of Salisbury North Carolina's (10) historic districts ~ the Park Avenue/Long Street district in the heart of the city, just (5) blocks from historic downtown Salisbury, shopping, entertainment, art, and restaurants.  Less than (1) mile to the east you can hop on Interstate-85 and be anywhere in no time flat!  The I-85 junction holds more opportunities for shopping, restaurants, movie theatres, and services.  (3) blocks away is the Amtrak station ~ you are just a short train-ride away from Raleigh, the State Capitol. (1) block from the home is the charming Cannon Mills Park, named thus for the historic Cannon Mill (Kesler Mill) circa 1895 that was located to the east of Park Avenue. 

Price

You will not believe your eyes and ears when you hear the sticker price for 429 Park Avenue!  If you are thinking you cannot afford an original historic home with so many updated features, you are mistaken!  This house is an affordable gem that will reward its owners for years to come.  Let's call it reverse-sticker-shock! 

Call Greg Rapp today at 704.213.6846 to get your reverse-sticker-shock for 429 Park Avenue.  History is in your future!


For more photos and information, visit these web-pages:

https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/media/set/?set=a.193121517399612.51193.100001052965053

http://www.oldhouses.com/cf/displaylisting.cfm?q_listingid=8367&searchlist=3956,8307,6351,8211,4765,8173,8328,8182,4149,8244,7322,5922,8074,2310,8397,8367,3912,6536,7115,6725,7640,7848,7993,8231,6594,632,8035&searchname=Listings%20In%20North%20Carolina&searchdest=%2Fcf%2Flistinglist%2Ecfm%3Fq%5Flistingstate%3DNC%26searchname%3DListings%2BIn%2BNorth%2520Carolina%26startrow%3D1%26maxrows%3D25

The Porch Defines and Reflects the Historic Character of a Home

Why is a home with porch space so special? The porch adds two distinct functions to the value of a home: The front entry and the display of the architectural period statement and the intrinsic value, or the actual use of the porch. The relationship of space, features, materials, and finishes, give a home historical character. The porch can have multiple advantages. Whether it is the main, formal entrance to a grand, large home, the formal entrance to a more modest home, perhaps not the ‘front door’ but the entry from a porte-cochere, or the rear of the home overlooking the gardens or another scenic view, it is a place of quiet, family and friend times. The impact to the character of the house in coordination with doors, fanlights, sidelights, pilasters, entablatures, columns, balustrades, and stairs adds value beyond financial gain and benefits you and your family for years to come.

The design of a porch creates an architecturally significant, welcoming entry, that focuses on views of the landscape, provides a retreat, and/or to serves as an extension of the living space of a home.


It can be enclosed by screen, latticework, windows, or design featured walls, and in the beautiful homes in Salisbury North Carolina, they often incorporate period design and statement architectural integration. They are usually architecturally unified with the rest of the house, while decks which are typically open to the sky are not usually architecturally integrated with the home design.

Porches are extra rooms

Providing protection from sun and rain, porches can become an exterior room that generates more square footage to the home that can be used as living space. Accommodated with chairs, tables, and other furniture, the value of the home is greatly enhanced with a porch providing a place of relaxation and entertainment.


The key to a good porch is good design.

When looking for a new home in Salisbury NC, or when putting your existing home on the market, look at the porch and ask the following questions:

Does it match and complement the house? • Is it in the best location? • How functional and convenient is it? • Is the size too big/small for the yard and house?  If you are putting your home up for sale, you may wish to consider updates and features for your porch. You might want the flexibility to have screen windows that could be changed to glass doors. Consider the location of the entry and exits, and the flow in relationship to the main house entry. It may be possible to utilize an existing window or door opening to fit in with the scheme of the house. Does the porch overlook a garden or pool, the street or a scenic view? Are there built-in amenities? How does sun and wind affect the living space?


Curb Appeal: Can A Front Porch Increase The Value Of Your Home?

Beyond the beauty of a porch there are also several practical benefits including a good return-on-investment, enlarged living space, protection for your front door and foyer and more.   These benefits include:

Curb Appeal:  An impressive front entry is a critical aspect of curb appeal. The difference between a “flat-faced” home and a home with a full, covered front porch is most dramatic. Front entryways gracefully defined with architectural components beautifully complement a home’s style.

Added Value: Enhanced curb appeal is always desirable, and can translate into a higher selling price for your home down the road. Real estate agents often mention the importance of the front entry in photo listings and buyer visits.

Protection from the Elements: A front entry with no covering exposes your guests and home to damaging sun and rain. A porch or portico provides great protection for the front door, hardware, trim, lighting—and even, foyer. And your guests will truly appreciate it on rainy or hot, sunny day. It can even help lower your summer energy bills.

Magnetic Affect: If you have children or neighbors, nothing beats a covered front porch for entertaining! It’s a wonderful place to socialize, catch up on the latest news or just relax and enjoy the company.

Living is Easy: An expansive, shady front porch offers a delightful retreat. Add ceiling fans, comfortable chairs and tables and you’ve just added a lot more square footage to your home, not to mention, a special place to unwind and watch the rest of the world whirl by.

As a reflection of your home, an invitation to passersby and an open window to the world around you, the porch can be the threshold to the outdoors, a getaway to read a good book or a place to share coffee and conversation with friends. It will be a place where you build your memories, watch your children grow, enjoy a cool drink in the summer, and the place you find your private moments to take in life.

 

Looking for a home with a porch to build your memories?  Call your local Salisbury NC Realtor Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 to see a wide variety of homes in Salisbury NC with fabulous porch designs.

Remember to Do a Final Walk-Through on Your New Home!

Congratulations!  You have submitted an offer on your new Salisbury NC home for sale and it’s been accepted by the seller.  On the day you close on your new home, all the papers will be signed that officially close the deal!  Ownership of your new home will be transferred to you.

At that point, all obligations and responsibilities of the seller are over.  That is why it is very important for you to conduct a final walk-through of your soon-to-be new home.

Most home sale contracts allow you to do a walk-through inspection anywhere from a few hours to five days prior to closing. 

The final walk-through ensures that the condition of the property has not substantially changed since you agreed to buy it, that all required repairs have been completed or are in the process of being done, that items the seller agreed to leave have not been removed and items the seller agreed to remove are gone.

During the final walk-through, it’s a good idea to be accompanied by an experienced Salisbury NC real estate professional, who knows what to look for and can help you examine the house thoroughly.  It can also be helpful to reference your purchase contract as you inspect the property.

You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time for your walk-through inspection so that you’re not rushed and possibly miss something significant.  And if you do see an item that needs to be addressed, let your agent know so that they can get it rectified before closing.

If you are not totally satisfied during the final walk-through, you can ask to postpone the closing until the necessary repairs have been made by the seller. You will want to check the house from top to bottom, including:

• Run water & look under sinks for leaks
• Test all appliances
• Turn on and off every light fixture
• Check garage door openers
• Flush toilets
• Open and close all doors
• Inspect ceilings, wall and floors
• Check for any signs of mold growth
• Test heating and air conditioning
• Run garbage disposal and exhaust fans
• Make sure all debris is removed from the home
• Open and close windows

Remember, it’s never a good idea to waive the final walk-through when buying your new home in Salisbury, NC.  To close on your new home, contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 today!

429 Park Ave., Salisbury, NC | Powered by Postlets

429 Park Ave., Salisbury, NC | Powered by Postlets

Who says houses aren't selling? Success = The Right Home + The Right Buyer...and the Right Realtor!

I am a SUCCESS STORY!

SOLD!  Who says this is not the right time to place your home on the market? Who says homes aren't selling?  If you are considering putting your house on the market and you are feeling this way, perhaps the right combination of real estate agent, property, and buyer have not yet been considered. Successes are happening!  This charming Arts & Crafts bungalow at 511 Heilig Avenue in Salisbury NC just sold! 

Classic Built-In Cabinetry in Dining Room

This 1920's Bungalow comes complete with 2 fireplaces, classic built-in's in the dining room, large closets, daylight cellar, covered front porch, and a HUGE kitchen.  It's new owner will enjoy a GREAT back yard and side lawn. This home is in mint condition and was Sold-As-Is.  Was the price right?  Yes!  Listed less than tax value at just $37,000 in the family oriented neighborhood of Fulton Heights, this 3-bedroom sweetheart home found the right buyer.  How? 

One of (2) Fireplaces

By contacting Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846.  That's how! 

Be the next to tell your success story here!  Call Greg Rapp for your home buying/selling needs.

511 Heilig Avenue ~ SOLD!
Greg Rapp 704.213.6846
http://www.realestatesalisbury.com/