REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Down by the...: Downtown Scottsville residence a find

PHOTO BY SARAH JACOBSON

Address: 605 Page Street

Neighborhood: Historic Scottsville

Asking: $279,900

Assessment: $242,000

Year Built: 1930

Size: 1832 fin sq. ft. / 546 unfin. 

Land: 0.00 acres

Agent: Peter Lee, 960-6486; Jim Bonner, 951-5102, Roy Wheeler Realty Co.

Curb Appeal: 9 out of 10

Scottsville has picked itself up and dusted itself off a bit. Downtown languished long as a ghost town because of the James River's propensity to rush all the way up Main Street during heavy storms. In 1972, Hurricane Agnes put the town under 34 feet of water, the highest level recorded. The tragedy spurred the building of an impoundment and the A. Raymon Thacker levee, which have kept the city dry, and now merchants are back downtown again; so the new mayor thinks it's safe to sell his house. 

On a quiet cul de sac within walking distance of downtown, the place is surrounded by established trees, which, together with a sunny porch, offer curb appeal and an old-fashioned ambiance that new construction can't provide. The porch floor and steps have been painted a glossy green, and with a swing and wicker furniture (which convey), it's just waiting for a summer day.

In the foyer, floral wallpaper greets visitors and rises up the staircase. It may turn off some buyers, but it's in good condition and an easy cosmetic fix for purists who want au courant beiges, mauves, and seafoams. But those folks aren't going to be any happier when they get upstairs: the master is a yolky yellow, Dutch blue covers walls in the upstairs hall, and a sturdy brown darkens one of the guest rooms. The living room is a bold red.

A half bath off the foyer on the way to kitchen is the only WC on this level. A formal living room to the left to the foyer leads into the dining room. 

While not updated, the kitchen is in good shape with what are probably the original cabinets. Countertops are faux wood grain, but again, that should be an easy fix. The built-in breakfast nook has church pews cut to fit, but they're not part of the deal— but, depending on the offer, the owners may be persuaded to give them up. With the open box shape of the space, there are lots of possibilities, even though the current look fits well with the age of the house. 

Off the kitchen, a mudroom or garden supply room leads out to a deck. Green thumbs will make use of the separate sink and small counter space for potting plants. Hand-painted floral decorations add interest, and built-in shelving works for pots, vases, or extra glasses. The room could also function as an extra pantry or party prep area.   

The small, English-style garden, designed it to be low maintenance and just now filled with color, is surrounded by a picket fence. Also outdoors, a pair of kayaks that come with the house, an added bonus for adventurous types. 

The owners converted one of the original four bedrooms to a walk-in closet attached to the master. Having been a bedroom, it's big enough to double as a reading nook, small office, or nursery. (The owners left the door to the original room so that, if necessary, the bedroom can be revived. With just one bath upstairs, however, four bedrooms might be a bit much.) As is, the current owners use one bedroom as an upstairs den, a good idea considering that the downstairs living areas are formal.

Both bathrooms have been redone: the upstairs full bath sports a walk-in shower with built-in bench and tiled counter. The absence of a tub could be a deal-breaker for a lot of buyers, but as an offset, the counter space is ample.

Within walking distance of downtown and close to the river, this historic house would be great for a small family looking for tradition and formal rooms. And in the event of another 100-year deluge, those kayaks might make themselves useful.  

PHOTOS BY SARAH JACOBSON

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