REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Avon calling: Cosmetics outweigh traffic troubles

Address: 1018 Avon Street

Neighborhood: Belmont

Asking: $300,000

Assessment: $393,400

Year Built: 1920

Size: 2,208 fin. sq. ft.

Land: 0.139 acres

Agent: Kay Sands, Roy Wheeler Realty Co., 434- 220-7673 

Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10

Although not every house is for everybody, there's a property out there for every type of buyer. With a recent drop in price of this 1920s colonial, the seller is hoping to find the right buyer— soon. 

On the corner of Avon Street and Elliott Avenue, the house has location. It may be too much location for some buyers, buyers with young kids in particular. Avon is a busy street, and that fact will surely deter lots of folks. But the place seems larger than its square footage and is close to downtown, two bonuses that may compensate for the cacophony. 

The narrow front yard has minimal landscaping– just a few grown trees and shrubs, but with the right furniture on the porch and a few more plantings, the space could feel like a tiny private retreat. 

Buyers can park up to four cars in the gravel drive off Elliott. In fact, this house may work well as an office because clients will have space to park at the side. Depending on reworking, the house could probably accommodate more parking, or the yard and patio areas could be expanded for more outdoor living space. 

As is, the backyard is fenced, and a fenced-off gravel area has promise as an outdoor entertaining area. The yard feels reasonable for a city lot: gardeners have a nearly blank canvas.

Inside, buyers may be surprised at how large the place feels. On the first floor, the kitchen has been updated. It's not posh, but Corian counters, stainless appliances (not new), and lots of space make it ready for move-in. A room off the kitchen would make a sizeable dining room, and there's a half bath below the stairs, so folks with friends to entertain might do well to take a look. 

Two rooms at the front each have a fireplace. In days gone by, this was a rental property, and the fireplaces were sealed for security. But a buyer could might return them to working order. Exposing the hearths would probably make the rooms feel more polished. As is, unfortunately, the rental property vibe still prevails. 

Upstairs, contemporary living needs have been addressed. Renovations have remedied the lack of closets, and bathrooms have either been added or updated. Three of the four bedrooms are amply sized. The master has a walk-in closet and a full, if small, bath of its own. A stacked washer and dryer fit into a space off the hall that leads to a second bedroom with another contemporary-sized closet. 

Of the two other bedrooms on the second floor, one has a new closet and one a new bath with access from that bedroom or from the hall. That final bedroom gave up some space to the bath and lacks a closet, which makes it ideal as a home office, nursery, or guest room. In addition to the busy street, fearful parents should take note that the second-story windows are close to the floor. 

This home is a turn-key with lots of light. Original heart pine floors are mostly in decent condition, although they look a little spacey in the foyer (where owners will likely throw a rug down anyway). Updated flip storm windows, gutters, plumbing, and electrical systems mean that new owners don't have to worry about the major expensive stuff that often accompanies an older home. 

Here buyers will find the charms of on older house with little work, proximity to town, and lots of potential. If they can consider the Avon Street traffic to be "white noise," they should be good to go.

PHOTOS BY SARAH JACOBSON

Each week, a brave local seller invites the Hook to provide an impartial, warts-and-all look at their real estate listing. E-mail yours today!

#