Luxury Homes – Gayle Harvey Real Estate

Life in Keswick

Six miles east of Charlottesville you’ll find the unincorporated community of Keswick, an equestrian dream of green fields and rolling pastures. (Click here to learn more about the origins of the unique name). According to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors’ (CAAR) Neighborhood Report, in February 2017 the median estimated home value in Keswick was $574,000 and the median list price was $590,000. In 2008, Stephen Wells of the New York Times wrote, “It’s this image of upscale rural America that best defines Keswick and its surrounding communities.” And this remains true today.

Here are some other things to know about life in Keswick.

Neighborhoods

Glenmore is a gated community with luxury homes tucked among mature trees, and paved walking trails that parallel the roads. Formerly a horse farm estate known nationwide, Glenmore gives a nod to its roots via its on-site Equestrian Center. The residential community also features an 18-hole golf course, a fitness/swimming/tennis facility, soccer field, basketball court, and a clubhouse.

Just on the other side of I-64, you’ll find Keswick Estates, a small luxury residential community consisting of 121 homes and home building sites. Like Glenmore, it is gated, but home sites are larger at two to six acres. Its proximity to the Keswick Hall resort means that residents have easy access to all of the resort’s amenities, such as the golf club and spa.

Recreation

There are other recreational opportunities in Keswick beyond the Glenmore Country Club and Keswick Hall.

Keswick Vineyards is a lovely spot to enjoy a glass of wine along with views of the Southwest Mountains. In 2016 the American Wine Society awarded the vineyard the silver award for their 2015 Chardonnay Reserve.

Just a little bit further north is Castle Hill Cider, if you prefer apples to grapes, cider to wine. Another bucolic setting in which to relax, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds surrounding Castle Hill. Be sure to try the Celestial cider.

A couple miles from Glenmore you can spend an afternoon antiquing at A&W CollecTables. You can read more about their offerings here.

If a private guided tour of the countryside is more your taste, and you enjoy the perspective gained from atop a horse, check out Indian Summer Guide Service. Tour options include guided horseback rides through several wineries and vineyards—including Keswick Vineyards—as well as the orchards of Castle Hill Cider.

Dining

Keswick Hall & Golf Club offers three dining options: Fossett’s, Villa Crawford, and Treble Wine Cellar. Fossett’s is committed to using locally sourced ingredients wherever possible for their gourmet American menu. Fossett’s also usually participates in Charlottesville Restaurant Week, a benefit for the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank held twice a year—in January and in July—that offers three-course meals at reduced rates. (The next Restaurant Week will be July 14-23, 2017.) Villa Crawford serves a lunch buffet as well as a la carte dining that includes comfort foods as well as healthy options. The Treble Wine Cellar is a private dining venue with the option of either ordering from the Fossett’s menu or enjoying the recommended pairings of the executive chef and sommelier.

Shortly before the turn off to Glenmore is the elegant Clifton Inn with award-winning dining. You’ll need to call ahead for reservations. We also recommend keeping a look out for special tastings and dining offerings.

The Most Popular Trends in Kitchen and Bathroom Design

If you’re thinking about updating your home, kitchens and bathrooms still top the list as the most popular construction renovations. According to Residential Architect, they have identified some of the latest trends in kitchen and bathroom design.

It’s not just about cooking! Kitchens are becoming the central hub of the family home. Yes, kitchens are where you store and prepare food, but kitchens are also being used for family gathering, entertaining family and friends, and for everyday living. How many of you have a computer, phone chargers, or some type of technology in your kitchen? You need to have easy accessibility to that recipe you saw on-line, or that “honey, please stop by the store and pick up…” for those missing ingredients.

For 2014, Residential Architect found LED lighting to be the most popular feature in a kitchen. This feature is followed by computer areas with recharging stations, large pantry spaces, upper-end appliances, double islands, adaptability/universal design, and drinking water filtration systems.

When it comes to bathroom designs, Residential Architect found the most popular features to be LED lighting, door less showers, as well as adaptability/universal design.

So if you’re contemplating a renovation to your home, consider the current trends in both kitchen and bathroom designs.

8 Luxury Home Modifications That May Reduce The Value Of Your Home

According to CNN Money, “When it comes to adding value to a high-end home, an amenity with a large price tag doesn’t guarantee a return on investment. Sometimes, a customized modification can actually reduce a home’s value”.

Here are some examples of over-the-top customizations that might not be worth the money:

Ornate Landscaping – Fancy shaped bushes, shrubs and trees can create an overwhelming appearance for a buyer. Instead, a clean cut yard with neat and simple landscaping and less fuss will be more attractive to a buyer.

Elaborate Outdoor Pools – Elaborate features in and around the pool may look appealing, however, the cost to maintain the pool area can be a deterrent or a safety factor for many buyers.

Huge tubs in the bathroom – The days of the large multi-person Jacuzzi tub are gone. Buyers desire a normal-sized tub, large shower, and most importantly, a walled off toilet area .

High-end materials – Imported high-end materials, such as marble and granite, are often too ornate. Buyers are looking for a more minimalist and natural finish in a home.

Unique Paint Color –Homes using a variety of colors throughout the cabinets, tiles, and floors will make it difficult for buyers to envision their own personalization of the home. Keep it simple with a neutral color palate.

Too much automation and security – Having the ability to control your home remotely is nice, but the automation still needs to be manageable for the homeowner. Buyers want one touch control versus a complicated system they have to decipher. An overabundance of security cameras can instill a sense of fear or insecurity of the home or area.

Oversized rooms – Creating a larger room for extra family space or a wine cellar by taking away a bedroom will possibly reduce a home’s value. A buyer’s initial detail is the number of bedrooms. When thinking about converting a garage into living space, think twice because buyers of high-end homes want a place to store their many toys.

The man cave – The emphasis on a special man room is losing interest and being disregarded and changed by buyers

Screening/media room – With large screen technology now present in most homes, media rooms are failing to offer true value to buyers.

Pet–Friendly Spaces

Pets are a part of the family too. Builder magazine featured an article on Visbeen Architects showcasing four plan ideas with pet-friendly details to amaze cat and dog owners alike.

Dining Area Just for Fido or Fluffy

A mud room right off the kitchen offers a great opportunity to serve as a pet dining area as well. It gives your pet their own special place out of sight, yet close enough to not feel left out. One floor plan idea from Visbeen Architects featured a cabinet with a bottom drawer that slightly pulls out enough to have food and water bowls. The drawer can be pushed back in when needed.

All Essential Mud Room

Mud rooms connecting the garage to the home can also be a great place to keep the daily necessities for your pet. Have a cabinet with hooks and shelves to store leashes, dog-walking supplies, food, pet carrier and other essentials. This will not only allow easy access to leashes as you take your dog for a walk, but will also provide you with organization to simplify your life. Another nice feature is a bench to sit down and prepare for outdoor exercise with Fido.

No More Muddy Paws

Whether its dirt, mud, or sand, having a shower area just inside the entrance to the mud room can provide an ideal place to wash those dirty paws and keep your floors clean.

Hideaways

Pet area containment can leave you with kennels and baby gates which stand out in your home. Instead, create hideaways to corral your canine. Coat closets at the rear entrance to your home can be a great place for a built-in kennel. Another hideaway to consider is installing pocket doors in various areas which just pull-out when needed.