Are you going: Scarborough Place fit for a few merry men

Address: 114 Scarborough Place
Neighborhood: Sherwood Manor (near Redfields)
Asking: $174,950
Assessment: $165,300
Year Built: 1972
Size: 1,456 fin. sq ft.
Land: 0.0 acres
Agent: Steve Taylor, Cornerstone Real Estate, 434-981-9850
Curb Appeal: 6 out of 10

In Sherwood Forest, Robin Hood and his green-legging’d merry men spent their time trying to bridge the yawning gulf between the hads and the had-nots. Likewise, this Sherwood Manor townhouse toes the line between the area’s rental properties and bigger-ticket city homes, all in similar shades of green.

Inside, the vibe is dark forest. Moss-colored walls and heavy drawn drapes make the space feel closed-in and smaller than it really is. Would-be buyers may have trouble seeing the light. But paint and drapes are easily changed, and someone with imagination “can make a heaven of hell,” as Milton noted.

But no imagination is needed here for buyers interested in making green instead of just seeing it. Investors only need tenants– and this unit is currently occupied. (The renters will vacate with 60 days’ notice if the buyer intends to occupy.)

Condo and townhouse shoppers are in the catbird seat these days: current prices (many still dropping) mean that first-timers can make good use of their money if they’re willing to bet on the future.

Although far from a castle, this place is a step up from an apartment. Two levels clearly distinguish private space from shared family areas. The front door opens directly into a family room; a den or second family room beyond feels more private. Buyers looking at smaller units in the area will welcome the little extra room for a formal dining space or den separate from the rest of the house.

The eat-in kitchen has been recently updated with new appliances, ceramic tile counters, and a tile backsplash. Although not quite big enough for the entire band of merry men, it’s large enough for a small family to gather around a dining table. Off the kitchen is a half bath with side-by-side washer and dryer.

Out back, buyers will again find a little more than they might expect. Although the listing states no acreage, there’s a patio and a small yard lined with pine needles extending from the house to connect with some common space. It’s a tiny slice of the forest, but ‘70s construction means established trees in the neighborhood.

Upstairs, three modest bedrooms fit a small family. The updated full bath has tiling on the counter and floor and a fresh coat of gray-blue paint. None of the bedrooms is exactly spacious, but that’s no surprise in a townhouse.

This place is an affordable alternative to a single-family house and has the benefit (and sometimes drawbacks) of a homeowners’ association. Part of that means not having to worry about outdoor issues, but of course the annual fees have to be factored in. For this neighborhood, they’re over $100 a month and mostly cover exterior and grounds maintenance.

This budget-friendly townhouse is a step up from a rental and an affordable option for first-timers who want location with a reasonable monthly payment. Although overly earthy, paint and carpeting are new. Lovers of parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme will find the place move-in ready, but buyers looking to brighten and lighten will have to find a band of merry workmen (or women) to brandish the paint brushes.
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Note: Due to a production template error, the size of the house, the size of the lot, and the year built were all wrong in the printed version of this story. There was no online error.