Special offer

And Now for Something Completely Different...

By
Real Estate Agent with Long and Foster Real Estate VA License # 0225089470

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.

Comments (18)

Lori Churchill Cofer
Beasley Realty - Pullman, WA
Realtor - 509-330-0086 - Pullman, WA

Chris Ann,

Looks like an amazing property.....and a unique showing that worked well this time!

Jul 30, 2010 03:30 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Lori:  That's clip art.  But it was an amazing property.  Since it's not my listing, and I didn't ask the Listing Agent if I could take pictures, I wouldn't want to do anything unethical.

Jul 30, 2010 03:34 AM
Susan Haughton
Long and Foster REALTORS (703) 470-4545 - Alexandria, VA
Susan & Mindy Team...Honesty. Integrity. Results.

I looked at the photo twice, the first time thinking, "okay, we gotta see that place," then I saw the campfire and blue skies and knew that it wasn't "live."  Not in yesterday's storm!  Sounds like a really interersting and unique property.

Jul 30, 2010 03:38 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Susan:  Hard to find clip art to demonstrate something like this.  I might have to find a cartoon pic.  Or change the picture's subtext to read clip art...second one is probably a better idea.

Jul 30, 2010 03:52 AM
Michelle Gibson
Hansen Real Estate Group Inc. - Wellington, FL
REALTOR

Chris Ann - This property sounds amazing, definitely unique and it's great the seller was able to stick around.

Jul 30, 2010 03:53 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Michelle:  Since he designed the home and knew the history of the property, it was really cool.  An odd thing about the property line is that the ran through the middle of one of the cottages.  Not a big deal since they were in disrepair and really not usuable.  Just an odd thing.

Jul 30, 2010 04:06 AM
Cindy Jones
Integrity Real Estate Group - Woodbridge, VA
Pentagon, Fort Belvoir & Quantico Real Estate News

Chris Ann-sounds like a wonderful property.  I want it but more importantly do your buyers?

Jul 30, 2010 04:09 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Cindy:  Of course they do.  We're going to be talking today about how to make this happen.  As with everything in this market, no transaction is as easy as writing an offer and having the Seller accept it. 

Jul 30, 2010 04:11 AM
Anne Clark
Metro Referrals - Gainesville, VA

When you first mentioned showing ten acres I thought you were going to tell us you showed a horse property.

Jul 30, 2010 04:54 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Anne:  I would definitely refer out any horse property listings.  You know I am clueless when it comes to horses.

Jul 30, 2010 05:21 AM
Carra Riley & Declan Kenyon
Brokers Guild Cherry Creek Ltd - Westminster, CO
Helping people Transition at all ages!

Chris Ann.....It sounds like your buyers indeed found an neat and unique property.  I agree having seller's available to provide information on unusual properties is very helpful.

Jul 30, 2010 05:28 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Carra:  And he was so pleasant.  He was a lot of fun.  Made the tour even more enjoyable.

Jul 30, 2010 06:26 AM
Anonymous
Debi Melius

As the Buyer listed here, I have to tell you this was the most enjoyable showing I have ever been to!  The seller was so gracious...as was Chris Ann as she trudged through the rain with us!  Great job, Chris Ann!  What an incredibly unique property and just what we are hoping for!  I mean, seriously, how many properties out there have a dining hall steps from your front door...and how many buyers want exactly that?!  Here's hoping it works for us!

Jul 30, 2010 11:36 AM
#13
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Debi:  I'm so glad you popped in here.  Thanks for the ringing endorsement.

Jul 30, 2010 12:02 PM
Jackie Connelly-Fornuff
Douglas Elliman Real Estate in Babylon NY - Babylon, NY
"Moving at The Speed of YOU!"

The staircase lighting is very cool. Sounds very unique. My buyer that bought the co-op last month, the recessed lighting also worked on remote control and I thought that was cool, lol. How nice of your buyer to join us :) I hope it works out and I'm sure it will.

Jul 30, 2010 11:37 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Jackie:  It is nice to see a client comment on a blog about themeselves.  I'm glad I turned on my public comments and that I have a link in my email signature to read my blog.

Jul 31, 2010 06:00 AM
Not a real person
San Diego, CA

Many years ago I had a property that I had turned into an arboretum. After the first open house that I held (Realtor went on a cruise to Rio--that's another story), the only questions were "Do you have a list of the plants?" So I put together a list of all the plants and a map of the property showing their locations. It was a hit! I got four offers during the four weeks that my Realtor deserted me, accepted one of them, opened escrow, and sold the property. I'll leave it there because I want this comment to be positive....

Many decades ago when I was a real estate agent in Texas, I encouraged my sellilng Clients to write down anything of interest about their property. It always made the house seem unique and a little more special than the competition.

Aug 04, 2010 01:10 PM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Russel:  That's a neat story...though I'd love to hear the other half of it another time.  There is a lot of value in finding out what a Seller knows about a property or even why they bought it.

Aug 04, 2010 02:33 PM