By Amy Gardner McNeal
Homes can change hands so quickly that a property seems to always be for sale. But sometimes the people who build a home choose to stay there for years—or even generations—before the home changes hands. This month, What’s Up? with Real Estate ings you two fabulous waterfront properties that were recently sold by their original owners and offer their new owners some of the best features of Eastern Shore living.
St. Michaels/Talbot County
Primary Structure Built: 1961
Sold For: $1,275,000
Original List Price: $1,595,000
Last Sold/Price: None—Sold By Original Owner
Bedrooms: 4
Bathrooms: 3.5
Living Space: 3,868 square feet
Lot Size: 13.77 acres
Right from the beginning, you can see that this property is something special. The tree lined driveway, with beautiful landscaping sets the scene for a peaceful waterfront retreat. The bucolic beauty blends in nicely with the cluster of buildings. At the end of the drive, the Cape Cod style main house, guest house, and outbuildings cluster near the dock leading to Rolles Creek.
At the main house, the most impressive feature is definitely the sweeping water views from the main living areas. From virtually every room, the residents enjoy panoramic views of the creek—living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. The mature trees and tasteful landscaping ensure that the home’s occupants can enjoy the beauty of nature from every window.
Inside the main house, a galley-style kitchen manages to combine country charm with modern convenience. Freshly updated, the gourmet kitchen offers all stainless steel appliances, double ovens and a neutral ick style back splash. Creamy Country French-style cabinets and honey-colored granite countertops add to the warmth. The kitchen also features a cozy eakfast area.
In the main living area, a huge picture window shows off the room’s best feature—the spectacular water view. Warm oak floors, built in book shelves and Craftsman style lighting fixtures tie the living room, formal dining room, and den together. The living room also features decorative panels and a fireplace with a marble surround. The den, with its classic ick fireplace, leads to the property’s huge screened in porch—with plenty of space for dining and a beautiful view of the creek and dock.
This property has plenty of room for guests. A 1,500-square-foot guest house with its own mini kitchen ensures that your guests have plenty of room to spread out when they visit. A beautiful pool, patio, and lawn offer great options for entertaining. Of course, there’s always the dock, for boating and fishing in Rolles Creek.
The property’s new owners plan to make significant changes. The buyers will be using the place as a getaway home. After tearing down the house, the New York family that purchased the property plans to build a barn-style house with lots of glass to enjoy the beauty of the waterfront.
Sources: Cornelia Heckenbach (listing agent), 410-310-1229, Lacaze Meredith Real Estate, www.lacazemeredith.com and Rob Lacaze (buyer’s agent), 410-310-7835, Lacaze Meredith Real Estate, www.lacazemeredith.com
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Queenstown/Queen Anne's County
Primary Structure Built: 1986
Sold For: $730,000
Original List Price: $750,000
Last Sold/Price: None – Sold By Original Owner
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 2.5
Living Space: 2,358 square feet
Lot Size: .84 Acre
This cozy custom rancher lets residents experience the best of both worlds when it comes to Eastern Shore living—the serenity of nature and the beauty of the water. Nestled into a quiet, woodsy corner of the Wye River near Wye Island, the property offers ample opportunities for sailing, swimming, fishing, and bird watching.
The cheerful entrance welcomes guests to a home filled with light. The roomy feeling of the main living area is complemented by cathedral ceilings and natural wood trim that blends with the warm wood floors. Floor to ceiling sliders allow access to the home’s large wraparound deck. Residents can enjoy the natural beauty of the mature landscaping and river front from all of the main living areas through the doors. From the bedrooms, the water view is a great start to every morning.
In the kitchen, it is easy for a cook to stay part of the party with the open floor plan. A large island creates a central gathering space. A butler’s pantry and tall cabinets ensure plenty of storage. Brick floors tie the kitchen to the family room and make cleanup easy. The kitchen is nicely complemented by the family room focal point, a classic wood stove. Surrounded by natural ick and built-in shelving, the wood stove adds a cheerful and cozy element to the space. The space is flooded with light from the atrium style wall of windows that offers a sense of seclusion with a view of the property’s wooded side.
Outside, residents and guests can enjoy the shaded, spacious wraparound deck. The open design means that this deck blends in with the surrounding landscape rather than seeming like a fence between nature and the home. When it’s time to take to the water to boat, fish, or swim, a long dock with deep water anchorage stands ready. With an 8 feet MLW capability, there’s plenty of watercraft options for this home. The private pier includes a boat lift.
The new owners of this property don’t have any major changes planned for now. Retirees, the new owners plan to enjoy pursuing some of their favorite hobbies—like boating, fishing, and entertaining—in their new home on the Wye River.
Sources: Darlene Wheatley (listing agent), Benson and Mangold Real Estate, 410-829-6533, www.talbotwaterfronthomes.com. Mary Carlisle (buyer's agent), Coldwell Banker Chesapeake, 410-703-3820
Want to suggest a recently sold home to be profiled in What's Up? Real Estate? Contact Amy McNeal at amymcneal@gmail.com.
