Yes, rates are down, home prices are competitive, and sales are increasing. And, yes, historically, springtime is a perfect period to put a house on the market. But here at what’s up? with real estate, we’ve learned that sometimes, none of that matters, and what really sells a home is its “wow factor.” Take a look
Atlantis
Primary Structure Built: 1980
Sold For: $1,035,000
Original List Price: Originally listed at $1,450,000 and didn't sell for 260 days; relisted at $1,250,000 and subsequently sold in 220 days
Last Sold/Price: 1990/$300,000
Bedrooms: 4 Baths: 3.5
Living Space: 3,400 square feet
Lot Size: 0.27 acre
This home’s small and nondescript frontage initially prompted just a cursory glance from our editorial team. But step inside or go around back, and you’ll appreciate why we had to include it in our “wow” file.
Beautifully renovated, the house includes a sparkling white gourmet kitchen with dark granite, stainless finishes, glass cabinetry, glossy hardwoods, and an eat-in area. An open layout lets the kitchen flow naturally to the fireplace-anchored family room and expansive deck. Walls of glass across the back of the house shower the home with natural light and offer stunning and unobstructed views of Deep Creek (not to be confused with Deep Creek Lake in western Maryland; Deep Creek is an offshoot of the Magothy River).
Surrounded by slim metal bars not to detract from the landscape, the deck and yard lead to an in-ground, heated, waterside pool (a feature most waterfront homes can’t get permits for today) and a deep-water pier with 80 feet of bulk-headed water frontage, ideal for the new homeowners’ 35-foot sailboat that draws five feet.
Plus, the home came with additional features that cinched the deal for these buyers: a fully finished walkout lower level opens to the spectacular backyard, pool, and dock. Unlike many waterfront properties that require private well/septic maintenance, this home uses public water and sewer. The neighborhood feeds into wellregarded Broadneck schools, and the home’s architecture includes skylights and vaulted ceilings for added visual appeal.
(Sources: Lori Gough (listing agent), Associate Broker, Prudential Pen Fed Realty, cell-410-320-0851, office-410-571-1319, lorigough@comcast. net. Brad Kappel (buyer's agent), Salesperson, Mr. Waterfront team, Long & Foster Real Estate, 410-266-6880, www.waterfronthomes.org.)r
The Overlook
Primary Structure Built: 2006 Sold For: $850,000
Original List Price: $1,050,000; dropped to $995,000; when adjusted to $895,000, received contract within a week.
Last Sold/Price: 2006/$1.2 million
Bedrooms: 6 Baths: 6
Living Space: 5,279 square feet + 2,752 square feet of finished basement
Lot Size: 1.25 acres
A fabulous home at a fabulous price ranks this property a “wow” in our book. Coming from a large townhome in Edgewater, this family had been looking for six to eight months and didn't want to scrimp on builder quality or living space, ultimately finding all that and more in this Crownsville home. The house is in pristine condition and only needs some paint to liven up all-white walls, according to new homeowner Brian Owen, a contractor with the Department of Defense at Fort Meade.
At more than 8,000 square feet, the home includes just about every high-end feature imaginable. A two-story, hardwood foyer includes a spiral staircase flanked with columns and crown molding/chair rail trimmings. A restaurant-quality kitchen boasts a warming station, convection oven, gas stove, two sinks, tiled floor, eakfast bar, eat-in area and desk space.
A luxurious master bedroom includes a double-sided fireplace in the sitting area, as well as a granite and cherry wood in-suite bathroom with a spacious shower and separate two-person tub. All the bedrooms include their own bathrooms, and a huge rec room in the finished basement comes with a kitchenette. The basement also features a built-in home theater containing enough gadgetry for any audio- and videophile. Rounding out this perfect package: a well-landscaped front and backyard with its own irrigation system, a large mudroom with front-loading laundry, a back-up generator, and a topof-the-line water conditioning system.
(Sources: Tom Richardson (listing agent), Associate Broker, Long & Foster Real Estate, 410-987-0101, tom@tomrichardson.com, www.annapolisagent.com. Hilda Whittington (buyer's agent), Associate Broker, Champion Realty, office-410-224-0600, ext. 113, cell-410-991-0588, hildawhittington@aol.com, www.hilda-whittington.com.)
Want to suggest a recently sold home to be profiled in what's up? with real estate? Contact Lurdes A uscato at lurdesa uscato@ aol.com.
