Classic Queen Anne Style Circa 1900 Home for Sale ~ Prestigious West Square Historic District, Salisbury NC

Editor's Note: This home is now listed at $200,000. (10/22/2014) 

Along a shady street in the prestigious West Square Historic District in Salisbury, North Carolina, shaded by two magnificent magnolia trees, sits 226 ELLIS STREET SOUTH Salisbury, NC 28144.  A modified Vernacular Victorian home, built in 1900, this spacious home exudes the grace of the era at every turn. 

226 S. Ellis Street is a solidly built, turn-of-the-century, Victorian style home.  It is technically a "Queen Anne" style in massing, roof line and details. It could be called the "Free Classic" Queen Anne, which used classic columns and porch rails, and less gingerbread and patterns of earlier Victorian houses.   

First impressions count, and you'll be impressed by both the width and breadth of the deep, wrap-around front veranda that winds 3/4 the way around the home. A new metal roof on the veranda was installed in 2009 ~ and Southerners know there is nothing like the sound of falling rain on a tin roof! 


Step through the tall front door, with charming wood-screen door and handsome entry door, and you will find yourself in a spacious entry hall, complete with fireplace with original mantel and tiles (some of the tilework needs repair; however, there are pottery shops in Salisbury who can probably help recreate the tiles), a sweet little under-staircase 'nook' that would be perfect for a writing desk, and the grand staircase to the second story.

 
To the right, you enter into the parlor, another grand room into which two fabulous picture windows stream daylight and offers views to the veranda, the magnolias, and the serene streetscape.  Hardwood floors, all of the period mill work, and the original fireplace with columned mantel set off this beautiful room.  You'll note the radiators in both the

foyer and parlor...and yes, the home is heated with old-fashioned cast iron radiators.  (If you are a fan of central air-conditioning, this would need to be added to this wonderful c. 1900, 2700+ square foot home.)

Down a center hallway you'll find the dining room to the left, and the master bedroom to the right.  The master bedroom was most recently used as an artists studio/library, and features floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and louvered shutters at the windows.

The 17' x 14' kitchen spans the rear of the home.  Large enough to hold a square-dance, the kitchen includes the dishwasher and vintage Whirlpool stove.  Lots of cupboard and counter space surrounds the walls, and and swings around to include a breakfast counter.

A small mudroom to the rear of the home leads to a graciously sized deep back yard.


Back to the front of the home...the grand staircase, with newel post and balusters in perfect condition (freshly painted in 2012), leads you up to another grand hall ~ an large mezzanine that is easily served as another sitting or reading area.  From the mezzanine stretches a hallway that leads you to the upper three bedrooms, all nicely sized rooms at roughly 14' x 14' each!  

A charming step-down bath with neighboring linen closet serves the upstairs private quarters.

Well maintained, this circa 1900 226 S. Ellis Street home was in the same family for over 3 decades.  The front foyer, stairwell, upper mezzanine and hallway, and dining room were all freshly painted in 2012. The kitchen, although perhaps ready for your renovations and updating, is more than accommodating for today's cook.  

Founded in 1753, the City of Salisbury has 10 National Register Historic Districts. The Downtown and West Square Districts are featured in a walking tour which is very popular with visitors. The Hall House Museum in the West Square was the home of Josephus Hall, the physician who served at the Salisbury Military Prison during the Civil War. (http://www.downtownsalisburync.com/download/InformationPackage.pdf)   

The West Square Historic District is within the City Of Salisbury's Historic District Overlay, and some exterior restrictions may apply.  However, budgets permitting, the City frequently offers Historic Preservation Grants that help home owners in these districts with repairs and upgrades.  (Contact Diana Moghrabi/City of Salisbury Planning Department @ 704-638-5240 for information and application forms.) 

The Historic West Square (also known as

the Salisbury Historic District) is supported by the Olde Salisbury Neighborhood Association, and the first neighborhood in the City of Salisbury to receive the historic designation.  One look at the plethora of gorgeously appointed homes from the late 1800s through the early 1900s will tell you why this pedestrian and family friendly neighborhood is one of the most coveted neighborhoods in Salisbury.

If 226 S. Ellis Street sounds like the home for you, do not hesitate to give listing agent Greg Rapp a call.  Greg can walk you through the expanse of this grand home and explain the benefits of living in both a historic district and the City of Salisbury, with its vibrant arts and culture scene, great local shopping, and wonderful locally owned restaurants.  226 S. Ellis Street is waiting for you to make it your home!  Call Greg Rapp at 704.213.6846 and get all the details!  


 

226 S. Ellis Street - circa 1900  
Salisbury NC 28144
MLS #: R56682 
$215,000

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 




 

Great Starter Home or Investment Property! Just $42,500 with 3 Bedrooms!

319 D AVENUE Salisbury, NC 28144 is a great, solid brick, investment or starter home. And at just $42,500 ~ who can resist this sensible 3-bedroom, one bath, all-brick home purchase!

The home features smart room designs with a combo-kitchen-dining area. It has a spacious living room. Each bedroom is roughly 12 x 12, nicely sized rooms for this 1340 square-foot house! The kitchen, dining room, and living room are nicely proportioned as well! This D-Avenue home has another 120 square feet of non-heated enclosed porch area.

Currently, the home is a rental property.  The current tenant on month to month pays 600 per month.on a month-to-month basis.

319 D Avenue is located on a cute little suburban-looking street right off the main drag through Salisbury, close to bus lines, shopping, and eateries. And wait ~ check out this price point! At just $42,500, this little one-story D-Avenue home is the perfect investment property or starter home! Add to that its all brick construction, this property will be nearly maintenance free!

Real estate investing is an exciting field because of the many different niches and strategies you can use to customize your plan to fit your personality and position in life. Perhaps you enjoy risk and would prefer a “fix and flip” business? Or maybe you are looking at long-term stability and would prefer investing in single-family rentals.

There are hundreds of ways to invest in real estate, so find the strategy that best fits your lifestyle. Here are some tips about what kind of property you should buy:

• Well-maintained homes – The time, effort and money required to bring fixer-uppers into good condition make it difficult to get a good ROI on them. 
• Avoid fancy, expensive homes – The higher the home price, the lower the net rental income is compared to it. Buy as personal residences, change to rentals – 
• Owner-occupants get the best financing, and living in the house gives you insight into what needs to be improved before you sell it. 

Maybe now is the time for you to consider an investment property...or is it the time to purchase that first home and stop renting? Interested? 319 D Avenue, Salisbury NC is waiting for you!  Give Greg Rapp a call at (704) 213-6846.  Now IS the time!



319 D Avenue
Salisbury NC 28144
MLS #R56653
$42,500

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 




 

Circa 1900 Victorian ~ A Pivotal Property in the North Main Historic District ~ Just $75,000!

(Editor's Note 10/22/2014: This home is now listed at just $65,000!) 

This eclectic two story late Victorian dwelling, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is one of the most elaborate in the North Main Historic District, and was built for J R Crawford in 1900. Crawford occupied the house for more than thirty years, after which it was occupied by Joseph Womble until the 1940s.  Located in the North Main Historic District, 826 N. Main Street is listed as one of the ‘7 Jewels of Salisbury’ (The Salisbury Watchman, 1988, Ron Buffaloe).

Properties in the historic districts of Salisbury , North Carolina are categorized as pivotal, contributing, or intrusions.  Set on a terraced lot looking out over N. Main Street, the J. R. Crawford home at 826 N. Main Street is a classified as pivotal, and vividly demonstrates the asymmetrical composition and enthusiastic exterior and interior treatment of the late Victorian period.  Its steeply sloped hip roof is interrupted by projecting gables, one of which contains an unusually shaped ogee.

This house has EVERYTHING you might imagine would exist in a large Victorian home. Rooms are graciously sized (the smallest of the 4 bedrooms is 15 x 13 ~ the kitchen is 22 feet long!), large bay windows, fireplaces and gorgeous mantles in almost every room.  A second story door led to a small balcony that was recently removed.

The unique large oval window in the foyer facing out onto the porch and Main Street is the most recognizable feature, and there are a handful of unique triangular windows throughout the home.

The entrance door has diamond leaded glass transom. The entry foyer and upstairs landing area are spacious good sized rooms in their own right!


LAZY, WONDERFUL PORCH

An extremely handsome porch with robust turned posts and bold sawn brackets defines the asymmetrical façade which contains a large oval window.

♫ “Front porch um… sweet nothin’s ~ Well do I love you? Of course, um…. sweet nothin’s.
Mama turned on the front porch light ~ Sayin’ come here darlin’ do…”♫

Got lazy days? Got sweet nothin’s? Well, this house has got the best porch ever ~ wrapping 3/4 around the home and resplendent with period gingerbread trim and turned woodwork decked out in 'Painted Lady' style!

INTERIOR

The Victorian motif is maintained on the interior by a fine staircase with elaborately carved newel and turned balustrade, and symmetrical molding with round corner blocks.

Wainscoting and beadboard can be found in many of the rooms, as well as plank, tongue-and-groove walls.  Chair molding accents many rooms.

The home retains a variety of elaborate mantels. These mantels all feature mirrored over-mantels and range in style from fanciful Victorian with elegantly carved posts, to more formal Revival styles with massive classical columns.





WORK

Yes, this house needs some work, but it has good bones and will prove well worth the time and money. Two upstairs rooms do not have duct-work for Heat or AC. The owners in 1986 started renovations to completely redo the home.  When they purchased it the home had been vacant for approximately 10 years.  The home used to have plaster walls but they changed it all to sheet rock. Repairs and renovations to this spectacular jewel of a home over the years include:

1.  Gutted the house and salvaged wood work, using heat guns to take it back to its natural look.

2.  Rewired entire house and installed 8 hunter fans.

3.  Re-plumbed the house with new water & sewer pipes.

4.  Removed the old roof, repaired the rafters and put on a new roof.

5.  Put in gutters to the remainder of the home to match with the existing gutters.
6.  Added a deck 8'x12' using pressure treated pine lumber with 2x6 floor and side rails.
7.  Extended the porch 17 1/2 feet to match existing porch to end of dining room.
8.  Installed 17 foundation vents, repaired and repointed foundation.
9.  Repaired porch and replaced deteriorated wood.
10. Removed wall across back, installed 4 windows 24x32.
11. Built 6'x8' stoop and rails using treated pine and steps.
12. Removed all plaster from home.
13. Put up sheet rock where plaster was on all walls and ceilings.
14. Removed wall in utility room.

15. Built wall for bath, built wall at step in rear with door for bath.  Exposed brick in back and closed door to utility room.  Added new pine floors.
16. Repaired floor in utility room, den and replaced floor joists as needed with new pine floor.
17. Added new pine floor to south room, parlor, hall, dining room and living room.
18. Removed upstairs bath, built new bath 6 x 12' and added closet on north wall.
19. Built steps to basement.
20. Raised floor under dining room and leveled by adding piers.
21. Added storm windows and doors made from black iodized aluminum.
22. Insulated outside walls with fiberglass bats and also blow in insulation.
23. Raised insulation in ceiling to R30.

24. Rebuilt chimneys from roof up.
25. Repaired siding as needed.
26. Reconstructed upper interior staircase.

This nearly 2900 square foot home, with 4 bedrooms and two full baths, could not be priced more attractively!  At just $75,000 ~ you will NOT find another home of this grandeur at such a low price.  That is not a typo ~ the home is not $175K or even $275K, which it would easily sell for in other parts of the country ~ but just $75,000!

The homes and residences in this district are supported by a neighborhood association that speaks on behalf of the neighborhood to city officials, with a special effort to retain the residential culture of this last historic corridor into the City of Salisbury. Realtor® Greg Rapp of Wallace Realty has more pictures of this great home ready to show you....or call Greg at (704) 213-6846 to see this marvelous specimen home for yourself!

The J. R. Crawford House circa 1900
826 N. Main Street
Salisbury NC 28144
MLS #R56628A

Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net 




 

Beautifully Restored Victorian Home Circa 1893 ~ Just $129,900!

             Update 9/27/2014:   The listed price on the Mary Steele Scales home is now $119,900! 

One of the best historic houses in Salisbury NC has been reduced in price!  The Mary Steel Scales House, circa 1893, is steeped in history. The home sits on what was once a large plantation to the north of the early city of Salisbury. Mary Steel Scales' grandfather, John Steel, was the first comptroller of the United States federal government under George Washington, and his home, one of the oldest in Salisbury, sits just two blocks to the north.


Besides this rich and far-reaching history, the Mary Steel Scales home, at 126 E. Steele Street, has merits of its own!

Completely restored, the impressive 3-bedroom, 2-bath Victorian home is the jewel of the neighborhood.  The over 2000 square foot home, in the North Main Historic District of Salisbury NC, with gabled roofing and decorative shingles over its deep wrap-around porch decorated with original period millwork sits on a beautifully landscaped lot ~ surrounded by deep plantings and a white picket fence ~ is the picture of early Americana.

The home's four original fireplace, mantel pieces, and millwork are intact ~ the original Southern pine floors have all been refinished.  

Stained glass accents throughout the house, right down to the cabinetry in the kitchen are a wonderful feature you won't find in many  homes. The kitchen is a cook's dream with an efficient center work island and loads of cupboard space.

The second story space is vast, with a central mezzanine leading to the bedrooms and upstairs bath.
 

A small outbuilding, formerly a garage, begs to be a workshop or artist's studio.  It overlooks the large gazebo in the back yard, a prized feature of the yard and home.

The exterior of 126 E Steele Street was freshly repainted in late 2013.  This home is move-in ready!

And . . . here is the best news of all!  The Mary Steele Scales House has just been reduced in price to $129,900.  

Now is the time to contact Realtor® Greg Rapp to secure one of Salisbury, North Carolina's most special homes for you and your family!  Give Greg, recently awarded Historic Salisbury Foundation's Historic Preservation Professional of the Year, a call at 704.213.6846 and let him show you the fully restored circa 1893 Mary Steele Scales House.  Old house lovers . . . you will NOT be disappointed!!

The Mary Steele-Scales House
126 E. Steele Street
Salisbury NC 28144
MLS #R55310
$129,900



Greg Rapp 
Wallace Realty Co. 
704 213 6846 Mobile 
704 636 2021 Office 
www.realestatesalisbury.net