Yesterday, I got to break up the routine of my life as a Northern Virginia Short Sale Listing Agent when a set of my Buyers called and said they'd found a property that they just had to see. I knew that what they were looking for was going to be a unique property, but I don't think I really knew what to expect.
For starters, I headed out after a pouring down rain storm to meet the Buyers at the property. Since it was a ten acre property, and I knew they had interest in some of the additional structures placed throughout the acreage, I asked if they wanted to reschedule. Nope. They were too excited. So I advised them to dress down and bring a rain jacket or umbrella. The skies in the direction we were heading didn't look so friendly.
I got to the property first. There appeared to be two houses within 50 steps of one another. Once the Buyers got there and we met the Seller, I found out just how unique this property was. The house itself was a re-creation of an older colonial style home. Covered front porch. Lots of balconies. Dining room separate from kitchen, separate from family room. And while the layout is not the open style colonial I am used to seeing in communities like Braemar, Kingsbrooke and Victory Lakes, it was very well done and very charming. The little touches made huge impacts. For instance, the Seller (also an architect) had designed a staircase with low level lighting that came on as soon as you put one foot on a stair. Neat! There were glass pocket doors for the formal rooms; a back staircase directly to the second level from the first floor garage. Lights in just about every glass cabinet. This was truly a custom built home.
What came with this home was ten acres of land that had once been used as a Boy Scout Camp. Next to the house was a dining hall (What I had mistaken for another home) that the Sellers had used for entertaining their large families. Used to be the mess hall of the camp. And the camp counselor quarters were behind that. A nice bungalow with a kitchen, two bedrooms and a living room. These two additional structures were in relatively good condition. The cottages where the campers would stay were in disrepair, but very charming to see. And with a little TLC, they could be useful again.
This property had waterfront access to the Occoquan River. In the end, it was almost like stopping by a tourist attractiion. The Seller gave us nearly two hours of his time in intemittent rain showers, to show us the entire property. We were all drenched, but smiiling ear to ear after. This was one instance where I am thankful the Seller stayed to show us around. We would never have known the history of this property.
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