Ag living lite: What's up with Greene's Farm Colony?

Address: 451 Colony Drive
Neighborhood: Farm Colony
Asking: $369,000
Assessment: $392,900
Year Built: 1976
Size:  3,298 finished sq. ft., 500 unfinished sq. ft.
Land: 2.07 acres
Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10
Listing Agent: Erin Garcia, Loring Woodriff Real Estate Associates - 434-981-7245

A Google search of Farm Colony, Stanardsville, VA produces a link to an article that calls the area "Greene County’s best-kept secret." For those who aren’t in on that secret, here’s the skinny:

Farm Colony was purchased as a working farm in 1976. Of the 285 acres, 95 were allocated for homesites, 70 were retained as a mountain preserve with horseback and hiking trails, and the remaining 120 held the farm operations, which continued as a cooperative after the sale. There are 48 lots and approximately 20 families living in the development now, with each homeowner being granted a share in the farm and assisting in the upkeep of the roads and buildings. 

The post-and-beam house at 451 Colony Drive dates back to the inception of the cooperative, but wears its age well. The log exterior is complemented by the wood floors, exposed beams and soaring ceilings inside. An entry leads to the living room, which is flanked on one side by a brick fireplace with raised hearth and on the other by double sliding doors that afford a stunning mountain view.

The floor plan is mostly open with a cased opening leading from the living room into the combined kitchen and dining area where sliding doors open onto a new rear deck and offer views of the rabbit hutch and turtle habitat in the backyard.

Located at the far end of the house off the kitchen, the master bedroom has two closets, lots of windows, and plenty of built-in storage. An attached office, which could double as a nursery, and bathroom complete the master suite. At the opposite end of the home sit two additional bedrooms and a shared hall bath.

Pull-down stairs offer a surprise– a fully floored and insulated attic with a large window that allows lots of light and helps ventilate the area. This space is perfect for storage and has even been used as a guest room in a pinch.

The laundry facilities are in the basement, along with a one-car garage, lots of shelves for storage, a full mother-in-law apartment with separate entrance, and an attached greenhouse/solarium.

The grounds are enhanced by a koi pond, several carefully tended gardens and a number of specimen trees including mulberry, oak, hickory, walnut, pecan and dawn redwood. 

Those looking for glitz and glamour won’t find it here, where the emphasis is on function rather than fashion. The bathrooms are small and feature single vanities and the kitchen, despite its stainless appliances, tile floor, and flat-surface cooktop, lacks the sleek finishes many of today’s buyers have come to expect.

But this isn’t Glenmore; it’s Farm Colony, where the houses complement rather than compete with the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. The focal points out here are the bee hives, fishing ponds, stables, chickens, goats, geese, alpacas and the community garden. 

There’s not a lot of turnover in this community; the last residential listing traded in January, 2011. Though there are several lots available for purchase, this is the only existing home currently on the market in Farm Colony, and it certainly has a unique appeal. For those who hanker for farm life without the concomitant costs and responsibilities, what’s not to like?

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