REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Just what the... Mill Creek Dr. pad could be a cure-all
PHOTO BY KRISTINA GARCIA WADE
Address: 1243 Timberbranch Court
Neighborhood: Mill Creek
Asking: $299,500
Assessment: $262,300
Year Built: 1990
Size: 2,492 fin. sq. ft.
Land: 0.4 acres
Agent: Frances Bernier, RE/MAX Realty Specialists, 434-985-2484
Curb Appeal: 7 out of 10
Open House: Sunday, January 31, 2-4pm
Beloved by Hook readers for his tips and quips, Dr. John Hong and his partner, Dr. Chris Zitnay, are moving to New Jersey and have put their Mill Creek house up for sale. What does Dr. Hook prescribe for a healthy home?
Natural surroundings: The (nearly) half-acre property has been landscaped with retaining walls, walkway, trees, and annuals, and even a fountain. A trellis that keeps a Brown Turkey fig tree from leaning into the doorway also overlooks a vegetable garden they share with a neighbor.
Since pulling weeds isn't enough to get the heart rate up, new owners can head for the woods at the end of the cul-de-sac where they'll find trails linking to the Biscuit Run system and good for biking, jogging, or just a stroll.
When something needs to be done, do it yourself: Although the house was only nine years old when they bought it in 1999, the couple has done a lot of upgrading, making it more energy efficient with a new HVAC system, steel duct work, and low-e argon-filled thermal pane windows. Upstairs sports bamboo floors, and the basement is cozy thanks to new carpeting. A hand-crafted medicine cabinet in the downstairs master suite adds to the homey feel.
There's a new deck and a large finished basement (with a bathroom) suitable for a workroom.
A cozy, kitchen-centered layout: The living/dining/kitchen area has an open floor plan that's perfect for entertaining, with honey beige walls with grass green trim around the window frames and on the window seat. A hanging pot rack over the center kitchen island conveys, and the Kenmore gas range has a power burner in front and simmer burner in back for fool-proof cooking.
Bright colors to stave off winter blues: The paint job gets a little more creative in the living room, where a fiery orange has been rag-rolled over the beige for a warm, rustic look. French doors open to the deck.
Beside the dining room (strange positioning), a second set of French doors adds charm to the master bedroom, an eye-opener in cobalt blue with magenta trim. Since those French doors and multiple windows let in lots of light, heavy-duty blinds are provided for afternoon naps. The small bathroom in the suite has flowery wallpapered walls with magenta accents (shelving, medicine cabinet) and a glassed-in shower.
Upstairs, a terracotta red guest bedroom is joined by a spare room the original owners used as a nursery; it has white walls with a sloped, blue ceiling dotted with wispy white clouds. The upstairs bathroom is light and airy as well— with a skylight installed when the house got a new roof last year.
On the other side of the landing, an office with the same sloped ceiling as the nursery has big windows looking out towards Carter Mountain.
When you step in the front door, relax: Like many professionals, these doctors put in long hours at the job, so their home needs to be rejuvenating. The easy, kitchen-centered layout makes entertaining easy and fun, proximity to hiking trails keeps them in shape, and bright colors kept them upbeat even during the recent http://readthehook.com/stories/2010/01/07/COVER-snowstorm-amalg.aspx"> snowpocalypse. But to cap things off, the medicine men put in a hot tub, which also conveys.
All in all, a prescription for comfort and relaxation— or entertaining and exercise— at one of the lowest prices per square foot we've recently seen, this house just might be a cure-all.
PHOTOS BY KRISTINA GARCIA WADE
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