REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- Rocky Top: Climb up to privacy, mountain views

Address: 2325 Rocky Top Road

Neighborhood: Rocky Hollow, Stony Point area

Asking: $365,000

Assessment: $339,400

Year Built: 1992

Size: 2,000 fin. sq. ft., 144 unfin. 

Land: 8.02 acres

Agent: Tucker Reback, Roy Wheeler Realty Co. 434-951-5128

Curb Appeal: 8 out of 10

Buyers looking for a family house can be understandably fickle, and lots of shoppers with tots may pass this one up because of its non-traditional floor plan. On the other hand, the mostly open main level might be appealing to a zippier party crowd. Dubbed "Rocky Top," the contemporary is designed around mountain views— all three levels enjoy great vistas. And along with acreage, there's plenty of privacy in this appealing retreat a few turns off Stony Point Road.

A long gravel drive leads to a generous deck across the front and around one side. The front door leads directly into the great room where the most notable feature is the openness— the ceiling rises to the second floor, which has a partial wall. A mantel and chimney of native stones are the room's focal points. 

The kitchen partially opens to the great room with a counter on one side separating a dining nook. Mexican Saltillo tiles, a type of terra-cotta, are unexpected but work with the unpainted rustic wood cabinets. New counters to replace the current weary beige and new appliances in place of what are probably the originals would be smart upgrades to transform the space and make the wood and tile pop. 

Each of the three levels has a single bedroom and full bath, which could be a turnoff for families who like everybody tucked up more or less together. On the other hand, this setup could be a plus for buyers who like privacy (visitors) or adults who like to sleep (mewling offspring). 

The stairway leads to a master loft wide open to the main level. It's a generous space with windows on three sides, but some people will probably be looking for a more private sleeping area. Off the bedroom proper, the master bath has dark green tile around a garden tub, a single sink, a separate standup shower, and a good-size walk-in closet– though buyers may also want to upgrade the coated-wire shelving system. Ditto for the room's feathery green wallpaper.

Downstairs, the partially carpeted basement has a bedroom and bath, an open living room, den (or office space), and an unfinished utility area. A built-in window seat adds a bit of pizzazz. Tile covers the location of a wood stove the current owners ditched, but the space is waiting for another, and there's plenty of room for storing wood right outside under the deck. 

Terraced beds make use of the lot's steep incline. In a weird little twist we don't often see, the previous owners kept alpacas. It's not appropriate for horses now since the fence has been removed, but ponies might do well. Although the lot isn't level, the acreage does afford privacy, probably the next biggest advantage after the mountain views. 

After last winter, shoppers might be leery of the long gravel drive. The seller, however, notes that the eastern exposure keeps the ground warmish to hasten the melting of snow. 

Instead of seeing the floor plan as a problem, the right buyer will find reasons to like this country contemporary. The motivated seller may be willing to provide financing to qualified buyers. At only an eight-minute drive to downtown and 12 minutes to UVA, people living here can get the feel of a private mountain retreat without driving to Greene or Afton. 

PHOTOS BY SARAH JACOBSON

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