Last night, we listed the house so it’s officially for sale. I tried the FSBO route for about 12 minutes, and then my old Realtor training kicked in, and I remembered how much it cost to advertise, and I remembered that the whole process of buying and selling a house has become so complex, that I sent up the white flag and listed the house with a bona fide Realtor.
The house is city assessed for $345,000 and the Realtor thinks we could get an appraisal for something not too far off that, but we’re ready to sell the house so we went for $319,900.
It’s a grand old house, but we need to move on.
As an old house lover, I always thought of myself as more of a caretaker than an owner, and now it’s time to pass the mantle on to someone new. And those new owners will have a treasure on their hands. The hard work and expensive projects have been completed.
Here are a few of the improvements we’ve done recently (see pictures below).
1) New super-high efficiency gas-fired boiler (94% efficient) which was installed less than 60 days ago.
2) New high efficiency central air system and all new ductwork, with electrostatic air cleaner.
3) Thorough restoration of original (Buckingham Slate) roof, with copper flashing installed at all chimneys, and copper cap at roof ridge. Life expectancy of copper flashing is 75 years or more.
4) New rubber (EPDM) roof on sunporch, and new shingles on kitchen/back porch roof.
5) Seamless 6-inch (extra large) aluminum gutters and downspouts installed around entire perimeter of roof.
6) Entire house replumbed – from basement to 2nd floor – with all copper lines in 2007.
7) Electrical service updated, and new wiring run as needed. New electrical panel installed.
8 ) Summer 2010, entire house was painted with two coats of Sherwin Williams Duration (applied by brush). Duration Paint has a 25-year guarantee. More than 40 tubes of caulk were applied to home’s exterior.
9) On the rear of the house, there are some new high-end replacement windows (high efficiency with argon gas) installed within the last two years. Home’s original windows. were preserved on front for visual appeal.
10) Custom-built picket fence (unique design, and made on-site) surrounds property and was installed in 2009.
11) Custom-built “mini-house” is a small-scale replica of the main house, and has a floored attic, slate roof and vintage windows, and was completed in 2009.
12) Second-floor bathroom was faithfully restored with porcelain sconces, Kohler Memoirs sink, Dante brass faucets and solid brass vintage towel rack. Electrical was updated with GFI outlet added in bathroom.
13) Modern kitchen is full of light with seven large windows, and has stainless steel appliances, and a new high-end Kenmore gas range.
14) Four new storm doors installed in 2008; three aluminum (Andersen) and a wooden storm door for the front. Appearances are everything.
To see more pictures of Gosnold, click here.
To see our new house, click here.
The living room is awash in light with a western and eastern and southern exposure. The living room is 25 feet long and 13 feet wide.
The spacious dining room has four windows (six feet tall!) and has beautiful oak floors.
Visitors to our home frequently comment on the beautiful foyer.
Original french doors to the living room and dining room are still in place.
A view from the staircase.
Another view of the foyer.
Photo from the dining room, looking into the living room.
The house at 3916 Gosnold Avenue.
Classic lines and high-quality workmanship make this a timeless beauty.
The house is also a gardener's delight, with provisions to collect and store more than 200 gallons of rain water.
Your own private farm awaits: Tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, zucchini, strawberries, carrots and lettuce will be ready for harvest in about 30 days.
And they all live together in peace - in a fully enclosed living space - safe from racoons and squirrels.
And the world's most perfect strawberry, from my garden.
And a flower garden, too!
Carrerra marble under radiator and toilet complement the hex flooring. Work was done in Spring 2010.
Bathroom was restored to its original 1920s appearance.
This 1930s vintage thermostat works beautifully, controlling a 2011 high efficiency gas boiler.
It's the little things that make an old house a special home. Vintage doorbell installed in 2008, and it has a beautiful chime!
Front entry foyer is 11 feet wide and 25 feet long.
Spacious sunporch has built-in bookcases that are 9-feet tall.
Little house (address is 3916-1/2) has a floored attic, vintage windows and slate roof.
Another view of the little house.
Private, off-street parking and a uniquely large yard for Colonial Place make 3916 Gosnold Avenue a quiet oasis amidst a sea of classic old houses.
View from the street.
Sideyard summertime view.
And I saved the best for last: The Perfect Pergola. The design came from a 1924 architectural magazine. Note hipped roof with slate shingles.
Another view of the pergola. Dog does not convey.
To schedule an appointment, contact Rose at thorntonrose@hotmail.com.
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Absolutely beautiful, Rose! What a fabulous job you’ve done restoring your home. I’m sorry to see you leave the neighborhood.
@Cleriece
Thanks, Cleriece. It’s a beautiful old house. I hope the next “caretaker” of this grand old place appreciates it. 🙂 BTW, haven’t you always dreamt of living in a pink house?
Can you share the name and brand of the red paint in your kitchen? It is beautiful 🙂 and I am going to paint my kitchen red.