Green in Greene: Rural retreat offers outdoor living, entertaining

Address: 2820 Middle River Road
Neighborhood: Stanardsville in Greene County
Asking: $349,000
Assessment: $260,900
Year Built: 2006
Size:  3,010 finished sq. ft., 480 unfinished
Land: 2.0 acres
Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10
Listing Agent: Matthew Woodson, Roy Wheeler Realty - Greene, 434-960-5187

It’s virtually impossible to open a discussion of this place without first addressing the distance factor. Situated along the northernmost border of Greene County, the property is a solid 25-mile drive from Charlottesville. The commute and accompanying fuel costs alone will almost certainly be limiting factors for some potential buyers, but others may consider such outlays the price of admission to a rural retreat.

The main living areas of this Cape Cod-style house are cozy and inviting. A fireplace situated on a diagonal adds visual interest to the living room, a cased opening offers access to the kitchen and adjacent dining area, and hardwood floors, complemented by colorful rugs, lend warmth throughout. Equipped with a double sink, electric cooktop, and ample Corian countertops, the kitchen is roomy enough to accommodate an avid cook, and the open floor plan is suited for entertaining.

The master, also located on the first floor, is roomy and bright, although glitz-seekers may be disappointed to find that the attached bathroom contains just a single vanity, a standard tub/shower combo, and no walk-in closet. A half-bath, laundry room, and single-slot garage comprise the remainder of this level.

Upstairs, the dormers give character to the roomy upper bedrooms, and bold paint choices enliven them with a pop of color and personality. With a second full bath, a large and finished bonus area, plus loads of storage space, this floor could easily serve as a lair for teens.

With the exception of two storage closets, the entire basement is finished. Light, bright, and fully carpeted, this  level houses a huge family room that includes a bar crafted of pine and oak taken from trees on the property. A full bath and enough space to accommodate a sizeable group make it easy to imagine hosting the mother of all SuperBowl parties.

But the real treasures lie in the outdoor living spaces the owners have created to appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds them. 

A screened porch off the kitchen offers a comfortable vantage for enjoying the sights and sounds of the Conway River, which forms the property's back boundary and serves as the border with Madison County. Now that the trees are bare, the river is highly visible; and the owners have done some selective clearing to enjoy a year-round view of the water. For those who want to do more than look and listen, there’s a swimming hole a short distance downstream, and a nearby service road leads to an established boat launch.

A terrace-level deck, accessed from the family room in the basement, extends into the backyard and provides a prime venue for summer-evening barbecues or just a relaxing nap in the sun. 

This isn’t a home for those seeking city conveniences or a quick commute. But for those who, like the current owners, work on the north side of Charlottesville, this property offers a refuge, a spot where nature predominates over the cares and worries of the work-a-day world.

Each week, a brave local seller invites the Hook in for a candid, warts-and-all review. Email to schedule yours today.