New in Belmont: She shines brighter than her neighbors

    Address: 1114 Elliott Avenue
    Neighborhood:  Belmont
    Asking: $335,000
    Assessment: $330,800
    Year built: 2010
    Size:  1,800 fin. sq. ft.
    Land: 0.014 acres
    Agent: Robert Hughes, Nest Realty, 434-989-3592
    Curb appeal:  7 out of 10

What's not to like? That was my immediate thought as I approached the spanking new, nicely trimmed, two-story house on Elliott Ave. With soft brown siding, crisp white trim, and a steeply pitched roof, this house sits bright and perky, waiting for a family to bring it to life.

Though listed as Belmont, let's call it Belmont-lite, since it's a good half mile from Belmont's epicenter and well south of Carlton. The place boasts excellent curb appeal, if the camera doesn't back up and take in adjacent houses, which, while nice enough, don't create a matched set. Looking at the house, I thought of the musical Oliver–-  the happy parts.

The house is perched on the hill going down to Monticello Road, so a new owner should remind guests to curb their wheels. Shrubs and flowering bushes along the path from the blacktop driveway and a towering old pine tree soften exterior sharp edges.

Since it was built only last summer, everything works, shines up nicely, and ought to please the most sociable among us. 

Inside the front door is one big room and plenty of it. WIth oak flooring, 9-foot ceilings (ceiling fan), and extra-wide windows on three sides, the downstairs–  this large open living space– is flooded with sunshine and decorating possibilities. 

The kitchen, open and efficient, blends into an ample dining area which in turn leads to the living room with a raised black iron fireplace, both traditional and trendy. The kitchen, fully loaded with pale maple cabinets, top-grade gas range, and dark granite counters, will challenge the cook of the house to measure up. A BLT on white just won't cut it.

Necessities take up some of the 900 sqare feet downstairs: a coat closet, a big storage closet, and a powder room so small it might trigger a panic attack in a user so inclined. There's even an office space or guest room with French doors for privacy. In short, there's plenty of room for a favorite mother-in-law, one who passes the "quiet test."

Straight out of the living area through another set of double French doors is a sturdy deck overlooking a decent-size yard and a view of the neighbors. A storm fence on only the southern and western property lines means if you're thinking dog, you have two sides left to cover.

Upstairs, tall oversized windows on the landing offer a panorama of distant Monticello Mountain and the back side of Pantops. Two generous bedrooms, each with double-door closets, share an adequate bathroom, done up in white marble with snappy contemporary details.

The master bedroom features more large windows and country-vibe views from a two-chair deck. The expansive master bath with a huge stone-tiled shower will hold plenty of party guests, for folks who give those sorts of parties. While there's no tub, there's plenty of pizazz. 
Economy, economy, economy, today's mantra, has been side-stepped in this well-built house. Extra care has been taken to ensure a tight, utility-efficient house. It's not exactly LEED-certified, but upgraded insulation throughout and argon gas insulation in all windows are commendable steps in the right direction.

The crawl space, in most places more like a dungeon, and always a creep-out, here has clean dry surfaces and moisture sealant running up the 4-foot walls. This is good storage space in addition to some out-of-the-rain space under the large deck– welcome compensation for the missing garage. 

So, what's not to like?  Being the prettiest and youngest girl on the block brings responsibilities. This baby will have to be humble and kind to those less-attractive sisters who, though not in snappy new outfits, have weathered the times and know the territory.

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!
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And actually, this story was written unsolicited after a recent open house. Sorry, Bob!–editor