Sold For: $1,000,000
List Price: $999,000
Last Sold/Price: $359,900(1997)
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Living Space: 3,447 sq. ft.
Lot Size: 1.77 acres
The charm of this property lies not only in the 700 feet of waterfront footage or in the breathtaking 180-degree view of Cox Creek, but also in the sense of anticipation that only grows as one turns off Route 50 and onto Cox Neck Road. Driving past Chester’s commercial corridor toward farm fields and grasslands, the stress of daily life dissipates en route to somewhere utterly relaxing. Leaving the hustle of the highway behind, the road follows a gentle curve of land, ending near this hidden treasure. Situated on a private peninsula with views from Cox Creek on one side to Eastern Bay on the other, the property offers a unique and expansive view on a large parcel of land.
If you can turn away from the view, you will find a lovely three-bedroom home situated on a bucolic 1 3/4 acres. “My clients had a checklist of items they wanted in a new home, and we spent about a year looking at properties,” says Susan Donaldson of Long and Foster. “They didn’t want to be too far from the Bay Bridge. They wanted a sunset view. They preferred calm, deep water. And they wanted a pool. These weren’t so many options as they were requirements.”
While the property had no pool, there was plenty of space to build one. The home, while not as large as the couple was looking for, was move-in ready. The house didn’t meet their requirements at first glance, but the couple couldn’t resist the allure of the view and the possibilities the property offered.
The home itself makes ideal use of its situation on Cox Creek. The living room, kitchen, and bedrooms are on the second floor. All feature large picture windows and a view over the water. More light fills the kitchen and bedrooms through multiple skylights. A terrace, accessed via sliding glass doors in the kitchen or master bedroom, defines the second level. It is long and spacious, well-appointed with an outdoor dining table and comfy lounge chairs. While compact in size, the efficient kitchen features custom cabinetry, granite countertops, and stainless-steel appliances. Two steps up from the kitchen is a large family room. This room offers plenty of space for entertaining. The stunning views west and south through three walls of windows characterize the space. Rows of floor-to-ceiling windows line the water view side of the first floor as well, where an extended lanai serves as both a sun porch and crab room.
The new owners work from home and wanted a property that could offer separate office spaces. Recent renovations included a new lower level office with walk-out access to the pier. Unfortunately, since the couple needed separate offices, the room did not accommodate their needs. As they prepared to walk away from putting a contract on the property, they noticed a large barn located close to the water, just across the driveway. Originally built as a two-story storage shed, the structure made for a perfect second office and man cave. “While this home did not at first seem ideal for the buyers, we were able to look beyond the items that didn’t work to see the possibilities,” Donaldson says. “This property was very unique in its location three exits from the Bay Bridge, at the end of a quiet road, on a peninsula, with deep and calm water. I advised my clients that sticks and bricks can all be fixed. I felt that they shouldn’t pass up on that view and that much land at what I believe was a fair price.”
Gretchen Wichlinski was the seller’s agent. “This has to be one of my all-time favorite houses that I have had the privilege of selling,” she says. “These types of properties don’t come on the market very often, and because of that, I had multiple offers and interest.”
The property was priced based on comparisons to other waterfront homes, taking into consideration the many unique features of a waterfront lifestyle on a quiet peninsula. The new buyers met the asking price, and the home was on the market for 14 days.