August 28, 2011

414 Park Avenue ~ A Restoration Artisan’s Victorian ~ $69,900 for 4,000 Square Feet of Living!

At the gateway to the Historic Park Avenue/Long Street Historic District, 414 Park Avenue with nearly 4,000 square feet of living space is everything the restoration craftsman wants in a historic Victorian. Like many Victorian homes of its day, 414 Park Avenue's exterior is graced with a wonderful wrap-around front porch and (2) sitting balconies.  The home features enormous rooms, hardwood floors, ample center hallways, and (8) fireplaces!  414 Park Avenue has a large back yard with a detached one-car garage.  

The North Long Street~Park Avenue Historic District was posted to the National Register of Historic Places on June 20, 1985.  The neighborhood features architecture from the late 19th and 20th Century Revival: Colonial Revival; American Movement: Bungalow/Craftsman; Victorian: Gothic.  The architecturally significant periods are: 1900-1924; 1875-1899; 1925-1949.  There are over 46 properties considered "Contributing Properties". 

This house, already a jewel in the neighborhood's crown, will be a masterpiece when its restoration and rehabilitation are complete.  A good portion of the home's restoration process has already been completed, yet there is more to do!  The renovated kitchen is delightfully large and sunny and features granite counter tops and wonderful lighting.  It opens with French doors to the renovated dining room (currently being utilized as a family room/den) with built-in china cabinet. The kitchen additionally features a walk-in pantry and rear mudroom that opens to a walled patio space that was once an enclosed room.  

The asymmetrically-massed house is sheltered by a shingled roof that is enlivened by a projecting pediment gable, a hip extension, and hip-roofed dormers.The terraced front lawn and wide central walk is enclosed with picket fencing. The concrete staircase from the city sidewalk to the front entry welcomes guest with a pergola at the gate. The over 500 sq ft wrap-around porch is straightforward in design without the more elaborate trimmings of the Victorian era. Windows in plain surrounds and a second floor balcony all complete the façade.

The first floor ceiling height reaches 11 ft. in most rooms. The center hall plan is finished with symmetrically molded surrounds, a turned baluster staircase, and original fireplace with its clean-lined mantel. Numerous original features still remain and include fireplace and mantels in many of the rooms.  

The terraced front lawn, with landscaping and large, shady old growth trees, is enclosed with picket fencing.  The staircase from the city sidewalk to the central entry walkway welcomes guests with a pergola over-structure at its gate.  The large back lawn includes a detached one-car garage.

Built as an elegant single-family residence, the property is presently occupied. 414 Park Avenue has (5) bedrooms, (4) baths (only one bath is operational). Home has NO Heat or A/C so it will need HVAC installed. The current owners use window heat and air units to heat and cool house.

This is a work in progress!  This c. 1900 property shows signs of its  history and the seller has priced it in relation to the average value of similar houses in the area with consideration for the work that needs to be finalized.  The listing price of $69900. reflects the remaining needed restoration vs. the grand scale of this 4000 square-foot home. The shingled roof is approximately 10-15 years old, and in good shape, apart from a flat roof with an intermittent leak in a rear bedroom that should be repaired. 

414 Park Avenue has tremendous potential to be a live/work property, provide rental revenue, or convert to a B&B or restaurant. The local community is willing to work with a new owner on redevelopment or improvements.  A preliminary cost budget for renovations can be made available by a preservation contractor.

414 Park Avenue is within walking distance to Historic Downtown Salisbury’s shops, restaurants, and galleries. The Park Avenue Historic District has been heavily invested in by the City of Salisbury with streetscapes, a central park, and adaptive reuse in the restoration of the historic Kesler Mills company stores.

Greg Rapp is showing this house in the "Buy History" event on August 28th.  If you  are not able to catch this annual event, contact Greg at 704.213.6846 to get a glimpse of the wonderful restorative potential that is 414 Park Avenue.

August 23, 2011

2nd Annual “Buy History” Open House Weekend in Historic Salisbury, NC.

Historic home lovers!  Here is the event you've been waiting for!  In it's second year, coordinated by Salisbury North Carolina's Historic Neighborhoods Alliance, the 2nd annual "Buy History" Historic Home Open House is around the corner.  Real estate agents listing historic homes will jointly conduct an 'open house' of their properties.  This is a wonderful opportunity to see, in one swoop, as many historic homes for sale as possible in Salisbury’s historic districts over one weekend.

Mark your calendar and come to Salisbury NC for the "Buy History" Open House
 1 to 4 pm, Sunday, August 28th 2011


This event promote sales of historic homes, the livability of Salisbury’s historic neighborhoods, and raises awareness of the benefits of living in Salisbury’s historic districts. The annual "Buy History" event compliments the efforts of the Historic Salisbury Foundations annual October Tour of Historic Homes, scheduled annually the second weekend in October.  This year marks the 36th annual October Tour, a ticketed event, that will feature 9 historic sites dating from 1790 to 1928.

During the "Buy History" event, real estate agents will be on hand to answer your questions about each historic home.  "Buy History" will feature the following historic homes-for-sale in Salisbury NC:

429 Park Avenue ~ c 1900

429 Park Ave.
4 Bed 3 Bath ~2,348 sqft
$150,000



414 Park Ave.5 Bed 4 Bath ~3,933 sqft
$89,900

325 Mitchell Ave.
3 Bed 2 Bath ~1,763 sqft
$127,500

425 Maupin Ave
414 Park Avenue ~ c 1900
5 Bed 2 Bath ~3,201 sqft
$169,900

601 Maupin Ave.
3 Bed 1 Bath ~1,532 sqft
$129,900

321 W. Horah #2A
3 Bed 2 Bath ~ 2,171 sqft
$289,000

412 Wiley Ave.
3 Bed 1.5 Bath ~2,477 sqft
$119,000

For a complete listing of the 'Buy History' open houses, see the Thursday August, 25, 2011 Salisbury Post article titled, Buy History! event to help stoke interest in older houses by Emily Ford.  For more information about 'Buy History', contact Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846.

August 02, 2011

The Giordana Crossroads Classic Criterium 2011 ~ Salisbury NC ~ Thursday Aug 4th

August 4, 2011 in Downtown Salisbury
The 2011 Giordana Crossroads Classic presented by Salisbury-Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a five-race five-day individual omnium (a multiple race event in track cycling) that visits three different NC cities.  All races will be held in exciting downtown venues except the High Rock Road Race on Saturday Road Race.

This Thursday evening, August 4th, 2011, The Giordana Crossroads Classic will make its way to the City of Salisbury, NC with one of the most unique courses during the nine-day event. The course in Salisbury is a “figure-eight” loop that is exciting for the race participants and spectators. Night races are supplemented with much additional lighting. 

For over 250 years Downtown Salisbury has been recognized for its beauty and considered a unique place in N.C. for shopping, dining, sightseeing and relaxing. Salisbury's diversity of shops, restaurants, antique stores, living history, and cultural attractions promise an extraordinary experience! Downtown Salisbury is a great place to spend a day, a weekend or a lifetime. For more info, visit  http://www.downtownsalisburync.com/

Giordana Crossroads Classic
The Crossroads Classic is five days of criterium bicycle racing designed to attract professional and amateur cyclists from all of the country to the Piedmont of North Carolina.  The cyclists will compete for $30,000 during the five days and will travel to five different North Carolina cities: Mocksville, Concord, Salisbury, Charlotte, Statesville, and Harrisburg.


What is a criterium? 

A criterium is a bicycle race on a closed circuit less than a mile in length where cyclists complete multiple laps.  Depending on category, race distances may vary between 25 and 50 miles in length and the fast action and high visibility are a real crowd pleaser. 
Photo by Ken Keefner

Why is a criterium so exciting? 

When 100 plus cyclists try to take a 90 degree turn elbow to elbow at over 30 miles per hour, there tends to be a little rubbing and bumping, sometimes even a few crashes.  NASCAR on two-wheels!!! Visit http://www.crossroadscyclingclassic.com/index.htm for more info!

Come out and enjoy the action in Salisbury, NC.  There will food and drink available at all race venues.  There will also be entertainment for the kids: giant inflatable moonwalk and slide.

While you are in Salisbury, take a stroll or drive around Salisbury’s 10 Downtown Historic Districts.  There are many wonderful 19th and 20th century homes there for sale as well as several outstanding commercial properties in the most central location in North Carolina.  Call Greg Rapp to have a closer look at these properties: 704.213.6846.

Map of Criterium
Salisbury Take I-85 to exit 76, US-52/E Innes St. Travel northwest on US-52/E Innes St approximately one mile to downtown Salisbury.  Turn right onto Lee St.  There are several parking lots on your left.

Another reason to choose Salisbury NC for your next home or business!!!  Contact Greg Rapp, 704.213.6846 for more info.