I listed a home about a week ago that’s located on the southwest side of Mason City on one of the quieter half circle streets. When I went out to meet with one of the relatives who is looking after it, I knew it had been owned by the same people for a very long time because I didn’t recall it ever being on the market since I became a Realtor.
I was informed that the current owner and his wife were the one and only owners of the home. In spite of the interior being in need of cosmetic and functional updates, the home was very well built and trimmed out in one of the expensive and popular woods of the time which was Birch. It doesn’t look that large from the street, but it has almost 1,300 square feet on the main floor. It has one of my favorite floor plans which is the “circular flow” which gives anyone who lives there a feeling of not being trapped into going in and out of the kitchen, dining, or living room in a one-way-in or one-way-out opening. There are some hardwood floors under the vintage green carpet which are likely in near perfect condition. All the windows have been recently replaced with thermal units, the siding is steel, and there is a partial brick veneer on the exterior. Another feature which I also find very appealing is that the living room faces the rear yard with a patio door leading from the living/dining area to a deck. I’ve considered it more pleasing to have a view of a rear yard from the living room rather than looking at the street. The owners must have gone to great lengths to create the limestone terrace flower beds along the rear fence. That would most certainly be something one would enjoy looking at from the living room rather than the street. There is a wood burning fireplace in the living room and a barbecue fireplace on the exterior side. I can imagine the wonderful summer evening barbecues on that deck and the memories created. There is a half bath off the master bedroom and with a little change in the size of hallway storage, there would be more than enough room to install a shower or tub/shower unit. With that one update, the value of this home would increase drastically simply because of value differences of homes with 1/2 baths off their master bedrooms and those that have a full or at least a shower.
The mechanicals all seem to have been updated since the home was built. There is a newer Lennox high efficiency furnace with central air, the wiring is circuit breaker, and the hot water heater is newer. The basement has minimal finish but with careful planning, one could create a real man cave retreat. There is a larger than normal for the home’s age, double attached garage. Some time in the recent past, the owners had the garage floor replaced. Crack-less garage floors are sublime. I know we’re in the dead of winter, but this is the time to grab a bargain before the Spring buying rush starts. Just remember, the bird who’s early, always gets the best worm first. The owners are very motivated and whomever purchases this home will understand in time, they’ve made the right decision in their purchase.
The assessed value is far higher than what it’s listed at, but don’t let that stop you. I have this home listed at $118,500.00 so don’t just drive by…give me a call and I’ll open all the doors for you.
