10/25-11/16

Christopher R. Covert, externally illuminated freestanding sign for Family Vision Care, $1,600.

University of Virginia Foundation, add-relocate on existing system to bring tenant up to code (Eiden Systems Corp.), $3,330.

University of Virginia Foundation, changes to tenant upfit/rear tenant entry plan (interior) for space behind Eiden Systems Corp., $11,500.

S&B Realty Venture LLC, reface free standing sign for Brown Used Cars Supercenter, $1,500.

S&B Realty Venture LLC, illuminated wall sign removing word "outlet," replacing with "super" Brown Used Cars supercenter, $1,500.

Guaranty Savings & Loan, tenant renovations for Thomas Hancher & Co., $35,000.

Pantops Giant LLC, two non-illuminated wall signs (front and back) for First Citizens Bank, $14,000.

Skylar Group LLC, new elevator for eastern offices, $41,000.

Keswick Corporation, seven street/pole lights in Keswick Estates, no price given.

PJP Building Two LC, tenant upfit, Mangham Associates law office, $49,000.

Richard G. and Peggy W. Carter, install fire alarm system at Pantops Vet, $5,300.

Kirtley Family Holdings LLC, tenant upfit for UVA Medical Center administrative offices, $150,000.

Village Square of Scottsville LLC, new Food Lion store, town of Scottsville, Village Square, $2,000,000.

Cistercian Nuns of the Strict Observance in Virginia Inc., addition to multipurpose barn/cheese production, $513,000.

County of Albemarle, demo three structures/main dwelling/office/chicken coop built in 1940s, no price given.

County of Albemarle, demo two structures/main dwelling/garage built in 1940s, no price given.

Route 240 LLC c/o Red Light Management or Main Street Holdings, free-standing sign for MusicToday, non-illuminated, $2,765.

Allen & Allen Properties Charlottesville LLC, interior renovation (tenant upfit) including demolition and construction of new partitions, Allen, Allen, Allen & Allen (formerly Charlottesville Animal Hospital), $175,000.

S&B Realty Venture LLC, adding third paint booth to Brown Auto, $61,000.

University of Virginia Foundation, new core and shell office building, Town Center III, $9,438,844.

Todd R. Needham, adding tenant sign box to existing monument sign, illuminated, Tuffy Muffler, $3,000.

George F. or Janice P. Perkins, non-illuminated sign addition to existing monument sign, Sunrise Development, $650.

Jimco I LLC, new freestanding sign/ non-illuminated, Jarman's Sportscycles, $10,000.

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NEIGHBORHOOD: Montford

ASKING: $725,000

ASSESSMENT: $487,400

YEAR BUILT: 1961

SIZE: 1,900 fin. sq. ft.

LAND: 22 acres

CURB APPEAL: 8 out of 10

LISTED BY: Owner, Carey Farmer, ERA The Holden Group, 540-661-0068

Buying stock in Coca Cola when it was first issued would have been nice; on the other hand, hoarding Beanie Babies would not have provided as dramatic a payoff. And Slap Wrap bracelets are almost completely worthless. That friend of yours who accidentally threw out his first-edition Spider Man comic when he outgrew it would be the first to admit that you can't tell which decisions will haunt you and which ones will pay off. Whether by skill or by luck, this week's house has some features that have been vindicated by time's passage.

It's true that right inside the front door visitors are greeted with a chandelier that looks like it came from the set of Thunderball, straight out of the 1960s, but most of the design choices from the original construction are more subtle. The wide brick fireplace in the living room, for example, flanked by built-in shelves and storage space, adds a grounding presence without overpowering the room. Windows on either side of the chimney provide lots of light.

The rest of the living room space is separated from the foyer by a screen of columns above a block of cabinets. Oddly, the cabinets are topped by shallow gravel trays instead of countertop. Why? Maybe it was a good way to display houseplants and not have to worry about water damage to the cabinets. Anyway, it would be easy to deep-six them and hop aboard today's decorating bandwagon with concrete or granite.

The kitchen, just through an archway off the foyer, was redone in 2004 with a new stove, Bosch dishwasher, under-cabinet microwave, and over-and-under refrigerator (with a handy bottom freezer)-- all stainless. But the makeover added Silestone quartz countertops (maybe they could also top those living room cabinets) and bracketed the refrigerator with cabinets to make it a display piece. Buyers may want to place a table in the room's open space, both to enjoy the views out the picture window and to avoid taking useable space from the living room.

Unfortunately, the bathroom off the kitchen doesn't showcase the best of '60s sensibilities: the brown and yellow color scheme is dated, and its gloom is unbroken by any window. While the space is too narrow to hold a tub, it has a shower-- with a welcome tile surround instead of on of those single-piece fiberglass atrocities we so regularly savage. A second bathroom on this level has better withstood the changing tides of fashion. It's roomier, with a full tub and enough counter space to add a second sink, and it's finished in a blue and white tile that has survived the years to retain a clean, crisp contrast. 

All three bedrooms have serene views and Hunter Douglas blinds. They also have roomy (louver-door) closets-- the master bedroom has two-- and they're actually useful since they were built before contractors started applying the term to spaces too shallow to accommodate even a clothes hanger. 

The house has some other elements missing from most properties today. Off the kitchen is a two-thirds basement that provides extra storage along with a place for the oil heater, pressure tank, forced-air system, and washer and dryer. The attached garage can fit at least one full-sized car and also has a full, fixed stairway leading up to the attic. Storage space in the attic is limited, but it runs the length of the house and offers well-lit, standing-room access to the ceiling fixtures.

Like the home itself, the grounds have some good points. Older trees have matured to create a canopy that shades the home, while their spacing and judicious pruning have kept the yard open. A concrete patio behind the house makes a nice spot to relax, and the remaining 22 acres accommodate two horse paddocks, a pole barn, stalls, and a shed wired for electricity. 

Considering the parcel and the neighborhood, the house is surprisingly humble, and would have been easy to bulldoze in favor of something more upscale. Holding on to it may turn out to have been a sharp choice. 

PHOTOS BY PETER M. J. GROSS

Each week, a brave local seller invites the Hook to provide an impartial, warts-and-all look at their real estate listing. E-mail yours today!

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Property: 5.193 acres on the north side of State Route 650, Fork Union

Debtor: Jonnie Mae Bradshaw, Frank Anderson, and Vonda Kaye Lundy

Amount owing: $28,008

Bidder brings: $2,000

Info: Samuel I. White 757-457-1460

November 29 at 9:15am at the Fluvanna County Courthouse

Property: 27 Choctaw Place, Cherokee, Lake Monticello

Debtor: Mary C. Sackhouse

Amount owing: $178,000

Bidder brings: $15,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Samuel I. White 757-457-1460

November 29 at 12:15pm at the Albemarle County Courthouse

Property: 2891 Vest Walker Road, North Garden

Debtor: Clyde Walker

Amount owing: $70,000

Bidder brings: 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Bierman, Geesing & Ward LLC 301-961-6555

November 30 at 2pm at the Albemarle County Courthouse

Property: 101 Fielding Drive, Willoughby

Debtor: Paul A. and Angela Myers

Amount owing: $302,805

Bidder brings: $15,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Shapiro & Burson 757-687-8777

December 3 at 5pm at the Madison County Courthouse 

Property: 1.210 acres at 94 Circle Road, Middle River subdivision, Stanardsville

Debtor: unknown

Amount owing: $159,000

Bidder brings: $15,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Stephen B. Wood 804-288-0088 Ref # 212148 

December 4 at 9am at the Louisa County Courthouse

Property: 204 Bailey Drive, Sunning Hills subdivision, Louisa

Debtor: unknown

Amount owing: $279,900

Bidder brings: $25,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Stephen B. Wood 804-288-0088 Ref # 2121259

December 5 at noon at the Waynesboro Courthouse

Property: 58 Old Hermitage Road, Waynesboro

Debtor: unknown

Amount owing: $144,000

Bidder brings: 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Bierman, Geesing & Ward  301-961-6555

December 5 at 1pm at the Albemarle County Courthouse

Property: 4543 Advance Mills Road, Earlysville

Debtor: Teddy D. Sanner

Amount owing: $276,120

Bidder brings: 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Bierman, Geesing & Ward 301-961-6555

December 6 at 10am at the Nelson County Courthouse

Property: 260 Helena Lane, Shipman

Debtor: Ronnie H. and Jacqueline M. Jones

Amount owing: $132,100

Bidder brings: $10,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Samuel I. White 757-457-1460

December 6 at 11am at the Albemarle County Courthouse

Property: 1242 Raintree Drive

Debtor: Kimberly M. and Dennis L. Steljes Jr.

Amount owing: $230,350

Bidder brings: $20,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Stephen B. Wood 802-288-0088 Ref. # 212173

December 7 at 12:30pm at the Charlottesville Courthouse

Property: 402 Allen Drive

Debtor: G. Dale Bell

Amount owing: $144,800

Bidder brings: $14,400 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info:  Shapiro & Burson 757-687-1661

December 7 at 1pm at the Albemarle County Courthouse 

Property: condominium unit at 139 Hessian Hills Circle

Debtor: Mahabuba Akhter Do

Amount owing: $156,655

Bidder brings: $15,000 or 10 percent of the sales price

Info: Shapiro & Burson 703-449-5800

[This compilation was culled from published accounts of auctions scheduled by creditors. Such plans may change if the alleged debt is satisfied.]

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7/2

Albemarle Housing Improvement Program to Charlotte D. Drummond, 0.106 acres at 312 7th Street SW, $184,500.

Barbara Shifflett to Elbert Farley, 1408 Florence Road, $127,000.

JPA Investors LLC to Rita S. and Leroy Thompson Jr., condominium unit at 1600 Jefferson Park Avenue, $191,000.

Charles C. and Kerri S. Heilman to Myron and Susan A. Neuhauser, 312 13th Street NW, $155,000.

NVR Inc. to Ty Dwyer, 0.062 acres at 918 Ranier Road, Cherry Hill, $341,751.

NVR Inc. to Raymond Ellis Brann, 928 Ranier Road, Cherry Hill, $318,000.

NVR Inc. to Larry and Sherry H. Rowe, 932 Ranier Road, Cherry Hill, $375,040.

Heather Lynn Turner to Timothy A. and Matthew D. Palmer, 701 North Avenue, $249,000.

Shepard R. and Margretta K. Hurwitz to Kant Y. Lin and Lynn M. Sanders, 1105 Hilltop Road, Meadowbrook Hills, $1,325,000.

Marvin B. Smith to Grove Street Properties LLC, 913 King Street, $395,000.

Diane R. and Wayne T. Allen Sr. to Grove Street Properties LLC, 918 Grove Street, $280,000.

Paul H. and Nancy T. Blaney to Grove Street Properties LLC, 915-917 King Street, $340,000.

7/3

Octopus Properties LLC to Todd T. and Andrea Nadasi, unit in Walker Square condominiums, $275,000.

Swift Run Inc. to CCH Custom Homes Inc., 806 Nassau Street, $65,000; 808 Nassau Street, $65,000.

Church Hill Development Co. LLC to Joshua A. Goldschmidt, 410 Carlton Road, no price given.

Bjarki Stefansson and Thordis L. Aevarsdottir to Eric and Myla Rinehardt, 117 Waterbury Court, $190,000.

7/5

NVR Inc. to Lauren M. Romano and Rebecca L. Armstrong, 920 Ranier Road, Cherry Hills, Johnson Village, $353,280.

NVR Inc. to Julie Tran, 924 Ranier Road, Cherry Hills, Johnson Village, $355,395.

Cherry Hills Inc. to Hauser Homes Inc., parcel in Village Place subdivision, $116,250.

Ethel G. Drumheller to Anthony and Marta Buzzelli, 714 McIntire Road, $250,000.

David F. Ferreira to Mary Ellen Reitelbach, unit in Carlton Bridge Condominiums, 1002 Linden Avenue, gift.

Mary Ellen Reitelbach to Evening Properties LC, unit in Carlton Bridge Condominiums, 1002 Linden Avenue, $30,171.

Thomas Garland to Jenny and Minoo M. Sobhani, unit in Druid Hill Residences, 1103 Druid Avenue, $250,000.

7/6

Robert N. Meadows to Philip E. and Barbara J. Brown, 901-903 Anderson Street, $70,000.

Emerald Spring LLC to Feiner Properties LLC and Martin Neal, 1001 Birdwood Road, $152,100.

7/9

Southern Development Group Inc. to Skyline Home Builders, six lots in Brookwood subdivision, $570,000.

7/10

JPA Investors LLC to Robert J. Rapena and Lisa I. Gaton-Rapena, unit in 1600 Jefferson Park Avenue condominiums, $139,900.

Meredith A. Amidon to Robert M. and Voe J. Montgomery, 0.218 acres at 1810 Edgewood Lane, $529,762.

Donald L. Lewis to Gary L. Beverley, 622 Bailey Road, Orangedale, $146,000.

Octopus Properties LLC to Tilahun Giday, condominium unit in Walker Square, $271,900.

Ray F. Kauffman III to Medallion Enterprises LLC, 217 Monte Vista Avenue, $96,030.

7/11

Lewis M. Bograd and Marion L. Rust to Robert M. Fusfeld and Carolyn E. Catlett, 2115 Minor Road, $627,000.

GTF Homes LLC to Church Hill Development Co LLC, seven lots on Woodland Drive, Oaklawns, $375,000.

MTM Properties LLC to Matthew J. Wilkinson and Tyler W. Sewell, 701 Montrose Avenue, no price given.

Anne Wolfe Ertel to Elizabeth Smith, 2657 Jefferson Park Circle, $300,900.

Rae Development Corp. to Kevin M. and Terra D. Schultz, 117 Robinson Woods, $410,000.

Alec B. Campbell to Joshua Pretlow Jr., 500 Park Plaza, $399,900.

Development Management Too LLC to Brajesh Kumar Tiwari, 603 13th Street NW, $173,000.

7/12

Robert and Diane S. Garber to Rafal Kalemba and Whitney French, 1702 Monticello Road, $260,000.

Douglas R. Moore, trustee, to Peter M. Mackey, 210 Sunset Avenue, $191,000.

7/13

FNRI LLC to Bryan A. Crenshaw, 225 4th Street SW, $225,000.

JPA Investors LLC to Charles D'Ambrosio and Marisa Serafini, condominium unit in 1800 Jefferson Park Avenue, $164,900.

L Verburg Corp. to Michael E. and Ghizlaine L. Taft, 2117 Angus Road, $340,000.

7/16

Pablo J. Davis and Elizabeth M. Pettinaroli to Erik S. and Carole E. h atcher, 1506 Amherst Street, $340,000.

7/17

Patrick M. Keady to Cynthia M. Miller, 109 Lodge Creek Circle, $203,000.

Yevgeny V. Mishustin and Natalie Mishustina to Glen K. and Michelle M. Heimgartner, 602 Shamrock Road, $290,000.

NVR Inc. to James Temple, 922 Ranier Road, Cherry Hill, $335,500.

Opre Gleasons Acquisition LLC to HM Gleason's Holdings LLC, 0.38 acres on Garrett Street, no price given.

Equity Ventures LLC to Jaclin Warner and Hugh Wiggins, 812 Prospect Avenue, $169,900.

Brady W. and Holly G. Allen to Jeffrey Jon Vogelsang, condominium unit in Druid Hill Residences, $270,000.

JPA Investors LLC to Andrew N. P. Morin, unit in 1800 Jefferson Park Avenue condominiums, $135,000.

7/18

The Chancellor Building LLC to Tiger Investments LLC, the Chancellor Building, 1403-15 University Avenue, $2,600,000.

Marie O. Pealer to Daniel J. Potter, 2219 Center Avenue, $280,000.

Scott M. and Anne H. Wein to Jessica L. Thayer, 716 Lexington Avenue, $513,500.

Tenth and Market LLC to Victor F. and Mary C. O'Laughlen, unit in the Randolph condominium, 1001 East Market Street,$345,900.

Octopus Property LLC to Frank W. and Diane Mauldin, unit in Walker Square condominiums, $190,000.

7/19

JPA Investors LLC to G&B Jefferson LLC, eight units in 1800 Jefferson Park Avenue condominiums, $904,200.

Ellen Renee Malenas to Erin M. Davis and Brice D. Cunningham, 943 St. Charles Avenue, $280,000.

James B. Riddle and Glenda R. Taylor to Ann E. Cheeks, 810 North Avenue, $230,000.

Southern Property LLC to Ryan D. Whitlock, 187 Brookwood Drive, $351,800.

Glenn C. and Victoria C. Branham to Gregory Scott Jackson, 613 Belmont Avenue, $165,000.

7/20

Venon G. Sullivan to Paul S. Mamakos, 509 Rockland Avenue, $229,900.

Rhett S. Wood to James L. and Anne M. Rucker, 1022 Carlton Avenue, $66,000.

Linda Branson to Brian K. and Jennifer M. Elmore, 8094 Rockland Avenue, $190,000.

Cherry Hills Inc. to NVR Inc., ten lots in Cherry Hill, $757,800.

Melinda S. Todd to Teresa Ritzert, 2514 Naylor Street, $186,500.

7/23

Betty M. and Dennis G. Stokes to Ronald D. and Kim M. Walker, 0.368 acres on Landonia Circle, $115,000. 

Phillip W. Shiflett, trustee, to Ted Realty LLC, 613 Monticello Avenue, gift.

Sara Dexter to Jennifer Wicke, unit in Belmont Lofts condominiums, 200 Douglas Avenue, $252,800.

Gloria S. Kahle to Mary E. Harlow, trustee, $4,800.

Anne H. Stoltfus to Irving and Patricia Moody, 123 Lodge Creek Circle, $200,000.

Dale Ludwig to SH Holdings LLC, two condominium units at 530 East Main Street condos, $530,858.

NVR Inc. to Shawntee Bright and Tony E. Massie, 610 Ranier Road, Cherry Hill, $463,500.

Big Deal

7/2

Shepard R. and Margretta K. Hurwitz to Kant Y. Lin and Lynn M. Sanders, 1105 Hilltop Road, Meadowbrook Hills, $1,325,000.

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