Short 18th: Woolen Mills bungalow long on potential

Address: 1406 Short 18th Street
Neighborhood: Woolen Mills
Asking: $215,000
Assessment: $145,800
Year Built: 1940
Size:  916 finished sq. ft., 814 unfinished
Land: .17 acres
Curb Appeal: 7 out of 10
Listing Agent: Courtney Sargeant, Roy Wheeler Realty Co. - 434-962-3100

There’s more to the bungalow sitting at 1406 Short 18th Street than first meets the eye.

The front door opens onto a living room painted a bold blue accented by white crown molding and oversided base trim, which lends an air of formality to the space. Two modest bedrooms, also freshly painted, are situated off the living room and share a functional and pristine hall bath. Compact room dimensions, ceiling heights, and closet spaces are reflective of a home built during the 1940s.

But all that ends when you get to the kitchen where stainless appliances, a double sink, numerous cabinets, and ample counter space invite all manner of culinary endeavors. A space along one wall could easily accommodate a kitchen table, a prep area with a pot rack above, or even a retro character piece like a refurbished Hoosier cabinet to act as a counterpoint to the modern finishes.

Adjacent to the kitchen is a small porch. A bit too tiny to house a full-sized table, this room could be used as a cozy sunroom or a quiet breakfast nook. With its tile floor and French doors opening to the backyard, it could also serve as a place to de-boot on rainy days.

A door off to one side of the kitchen opens to a staircase leading up to finished attic space. Ringed with windows, this room feels open and airy despite its modest size. Though billed as a third bedroom, the space seems better suited as an office, a studio, or a playroom, particularly given its distance from the home’s sole bathroom.

Stairs in the main hallway lead to a full basement where recessed lighting and access to the side yard help counterbalance the low ceilings. With ample room to expand the living space, accommodate hobby areas, or simply to function as storage space, the basement offers numerous possibilities.

A small raised-bed garden sits near a storage shed in the backyard. Buyers who want to continue– or expand– the gardening effort will be pleased to note the amount of sunlight the backyard enjoys. A concrete pad off to one side is an ideal spot for a gazebo, a swing, or a barbecue command center.

The current owners have made some significant improvements by renovating the kitchen and the bathroom and by replacing all the windows. Wood floors, found throughout the main living area, add character while front and rear decks allow for outdoor living.

That’s not to say that there’s not still work to be done, though. The front entry offers a view of the bare gravel underside of the deck, though this could easily be screened with lattice. Replacing the hollow-core doors and the cracked tile on the enclosed porch would continue the effort at modernization on the main level. And installing new flooring in the upstairs nook, which currently features lackluster carpet, could make this space the highlight of the home. 

The neighborhood is relatively quiet– Short 18th dead-ends at the nearby cemetery gate– and offers easy access to Pantops, Belmont, and downtown. And when summer days lead to thoughts of taking a cool dip, the Greenbelt portion of the Rivanna Trail is within walking/biking distance, and the Onesty swim park is right down the road in Meade Park.
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