The Hook - REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- For starters: Belmont bungalow a condo alternative

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REAL ESTATE- ON THE BLOCK- For starters: Belmont bungalow a condo alternative

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Published July 9, 2009 in issue 0827 of the Hook

PHOTO BY SARAH JACOBSON

Address: 1007 Montrose Avenue

Neighborhood: Belmont

Asking: $275,000

Assessment: $266,400 (does not include basement addition)

Year Built: 1954

Size: 1,554 fin. sq. ft.

Land: 0.14 acres

Agent: Voe and Bobby Montgomery, 434-466-5650

Curb Appeal: 7 out of 10

The old standby "starter home" has given way to condos and townhouses. Houses that fit that outdated description today are all about compromise, and this sage green bungalow screams "starter."

With three bedrooms and two full baths, it's enough space for someone trying to move from an apartment, and at a low enough price for some first-timers, a new couple or small family, just starting out.

Though not quite close enough to trendy restaurants, this house is nevertheless considered part of Belmont. Near downtown just off Monticello Avenue, it sits at the top of a downward-sloping street. There are no sidewalks, which may be a problem for buyers looking for a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.

(And that raises the question, why are there still neighborhoods in the city without sidewalks in 2009?)

Plants and the house's color contribute to its curb appeal (except there isn't any curb). A retaining wall holds back the yard just above street level, and lush plantings-- calla lilies, large bushes and what looks like a dogwood tree-- provide interest. The façade is modest and hides an addition at the back.

The front door opens directly into a small living room with a bay window, and it joins two original bedrooms and a full bath situated toward the front. Although the bath is functional, it could benefit from some TLC. Original hardwood floors look rough but redeemable. A narrow hall closet and a linen closet offer modest storage; a ceiling ladder leads to an attic that provides more space for flotsam.

The petite kitchen opens to a dining area with a breakfast bar/pass-through. Kitchen cabinets appear to be original. This area is prime territory for renovation or a superficial surface update, depending on the buyer's lifestyle and taste. As is, it's functional but dated.

A room of indeterminate use divides the kitchen and dining spaces from the master bedroom, and offers access to the deck and backyard. Linoleum makes it seem like a mudroom, and it acts sort of as a buffer between the two sections of the house. The current owners use it as a home office.

A bright new master suite lies at the back. The master bathroom, private because separate from the rest of the bedrooms, has a large vanity sink with plenty of counter space.

The main basement consists of two rooms, one containing a washer/dryer. The original room opens to what used to be the garage; French doors lead from a gravel driveway. With the light, it could be a great craft, art, or workroom.

Accessible from the yard and situated below the deck, a second, finished portion of the basement is painted Tar Heel blue. It truly is the perfect man cave, ideal for hosting poker games, watching sports or movies, or for teens looking to canoodle in private. When the owners built the room, they created a sunken space to accommodate a treadmill at floor level. Heating, cooling and carpet make it comfortable in any season.

An overgrown fenced backyard surrounds an enormous deck big enough for outdoor dining (and maybe a dance floor). A little manicuring might maintain the privacy provided by the trees while fostering the feeling of more space.

This light-filled bungalow is small but comfortable for someone moving up in life. With starters, compromise is key, and buyers will compromise— a little— on size and age with this kind of space. But as with so much in life, the other side of the coin is lots of possibilities.

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!

Comments

Cville Eye7/9/2009 6:52:40 PM "With three bedrooms and two full baths, it's enough space for someone trying to move from an apartment, and at a low enough price for some first-timers, a new couple or small family, just starting out." Starting out? Where are they going? "With three bedrooms and two full baths, it's enough space for someone trying to move from an apartment, and at a low enough price for some first-timers, a new couple or small family, just starting out." People have been walking all over Belmont for a century. This street is neither a collector nor a arterial road. "(And that raises the question, why are there still neighborhoods in the city without sidewalks in 2009?)" Obviously, you haven't been in many neighborhoods in the City. "The façade is modest and hides an addition at the back." Does this really make any sense? "This light-filled bungalow is small..." I thought you said the house has 1,554 finished sq. ft. That's not small ffor a 3BR and 2BA.
I'm Just Saying7/9/2009 7:41:09 PM The owners paid $100K less when they bought this in 2004. Have they really done $100K in improvements for new buyer, or was it for their own private enjoyment? With 10% down, this is $1900 a month. A 30 yr mortgage will make this place cost $650K. "Starter home"? That's an outdated term in this economy. A buyer needs to be prepared to stay for 7-10 years nowadays. That's not really a "start." It's a "stop."
Roadkill7/9/2009 9:26:18 PM Ms Jacobson brings up an excellent point about sidewalks: "And that raises the question, why are there still neighborhoods in the city without sidewalks in 2009?" If you want to know why, just ask Jim Tolbert. And if you want 20 different answers to that question, just ask him 20 different times. The city has a lengthy list of neighborhoods that have requested sidewalks, and a huge stockpile of money with which to build them. Any neighborhood requesting a sidewalk is told to get to the back of the line. So, what's REALLY going on, hm?
sheryl7/9/2009 10:37:52 PM "Though not quite close enough to trendy restaurants, this house is nevertheless considered part of Belmont." I would much rather live there than closer to where they are trying against neighborhood objections to shove in yet another noisy restaurant called Southern Crescent.
Caesonia7/15/2009 11:41:51 AM I find it interesting that in this location, the house is close to 'assessed value.' I don't think that is consistently true across Belmont. I also see some hefty price tags on some other houses in Belmont, that are smaller, and I would be curious to see what one is closing at right now. I think the market is very spot oriented at the most. As far as the trendy restaurant thing, I think that is going to cost property owners in that area. It' s all just like Vinegar Hill again. The city is killing a small business area to bring in other businesses that they think are more 'cool' and the result is going to be to destroy all the properties in that area.

Cville Eye7/9/2009 6:52:40 PM

"With three bedrooms and two full baths, it's enough space for someone trying to move from an apartment, and at a low enough price for some first-timers, a new couple or small family, just starting out." Starting out? Where are they going?

"(And that raises the question, why are there still neighborhoods in the city without sidewalks in 2009?)" Obviously, you haven't been in many neighborhoods in the City.

"The façade is modest and hides an addition at the back." Does this really make any sense?

"This light-filled bungalow is small..." I thought you said the house has 1,554 finished sq. ft. That's not small ffor a 3BR and 2BA.

I'm Just Saying7/9/2009 7:41:09 PM

The owners paid $100K less when they bought this in 2004. Have they really done $100K in improvements for new buyer, or was it for their own private enjoyment?

With 10% down, this is $1900 a month. A 30 yr mortgage will make this place cost $650K.

"Starter home"? That's an outdated term in this economy. A buyer needs to be prepared to stay for 7-10 years nowadays. That's not really a "start." It's a "stop."

Roadkill7/9/2009 9:26:18 PM

Ms Jacobson brings up an excellent point about sidewalks: "And that raises the question, why are there still neighborhoods in the city without sidewalks in 2009?"

If you want to know why, just ask Jim Tolbert. And if you want 20 different answers to that question, just ask him 20 different times.

The city has a lengthy list of neighborhoods that have requested sidewalks, and a huge stockpile of money with which to build them. Any neighborhood requesting a sidewalk is told to get to the back of the line. So, what's REALLY going on, hm?

sheryl7/9/2009 10:37:52 PM

"Though not quite close enough to trendy restaurants, this house is nevertheless considered part of Belmont."

I would much rather live there than closer to where they are trying against neighborhood objections to shove in yet another noisy restaurant called Southern Crescent.

Caesonia7/15/2009 11:41:51 AM

I find it interesting that in this location, the house is close to 'assessed value.' I don't think that is consistently true across Belmont. I also see some hefty price tags on some other houses in Belmont, that are smaller, and I would be curious to see what one is closing at right now. I think the market is very spot oriented at the most.

As far as the trendy restaurant thing, I think that is going to cost property owners in that area. It' s all just like Vinegar Hill again. The city is killing a small business area to bring in other businesses that they think are more 'cool' and the result is going to be to destroy all the properties in that area.

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