Hot House: Victorian house, circa 1892, in wood clapboard with slate mansard roof. Five bedrooms and two baths, over 3,488 sq. ft., with front porch, two fireplaces, wood floors and updated kitchen. 4.7 acre property, with bluestone patio, red barn, bank barn, shed, stream and stocked pond: $650,000
What: A charming farmhouse Victorian, with the added sophistication of a mansard roof, that sits high on its 4.7 acres with views in every direction. There are lots of fun outbuildings, especially the bank barn, which looks like a hermitage (as in hermit’s residence, not Russian museum). House seems well maintained and has been partially modernized. Compared to some Victorians, it does not have a wealth of architectural detail, but its simplicity has an authentic stamp. The inviting front porch looks out over the pond and grassy hills, but the driveway leads you to the bluestone patio at the side of the house, and you enter, unpretentiously, into the large, bright kitchen. There is a formal living room and a formal dining room — neither one is all that formal — and a family room whose giant stone fireplace now holds a wood burning stove. Every room seems to have at least one big window overlooking the grounds, and it’s a house where the outdoors really beckons. Bedrooms upstairs are roomy and bright, attic is finished, basement is unfinished. No central air.
Where: Halfway between York, PA and Baltimore. From Baltimore, it’s a straight shot north on I-83, exactly half an hour from the ramp at Northern Parkway to exit 31, (Parkton), and another mile or so to the house. Public schools out here are very good — Hereford Elementary and High Schools. The house is not exactly on the NCR trail, but the trail entrance is just a three minute walk across the road. Running or biking the trail is much more peaceful up here than where it starts in Cockeysville. Wegman’s in Hunt Valley is about 10 miles south on 83, and the Milton Inn and Manor Tavern are not too far away.
Who: Young family of gentle(wo)man farmers – one works in York, one in Baltimore.
Why: Pretty old house in a rural setting, with fast access to points north and south.
Why Not: Needs a master bathroom, a half bath downstairs, and central air.
NB: Large shed totally detracts from the appearance of the house, but looks like an easy teardown.
One of my closest friends owns this house. I want to say what a special house that this has become through the work that she and her husband have done over the years. The kitchen is where everyone gathers and the outside spaces are stunning. This is a real find!v (BTW, my friend did not ask me to write this!)
Hi Kathy, I agree, there is a unique feeling to this house that was
hard to put into words, but when you are there, it is very real.