Brick’s Blog

     One of the newer real estate trends we are seeing in the Richmond area is the "pop-a-top" on older smaller homes, which happen to be in highly desirable locations. Here’s one I have just listed on Woodberry Road in the heart of Westham. Before you see what this property originally was (yeah, you’re going to have to read the whole post first), let me tell you about 805 Woodberry Road.

     This is the 2nd property by Side Porch Properties LLC that I have had the pleasure of handling for them. Boy, these guys do nice work! Besides the second floor (i.e., the top that was popped), a huge 2 story addition was added off the Rear Elevation. Of course, pop-a-tops only work in areas where the lots are large enough to handle the additions. Usually these lots are in neighborhoods developed in 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s, before developers starting squeezing every possible building lot out of a parcel of land. Additionally, these lots are closer to Downtown Richmond due to their earlier development.

     Rather than a lengthy post, I will tell you that Side Porch Properties LLC loads their properties with what I call LTTDs (i.e., Little Things They Do) that just make a property. An example of a LTTD on 805 Woodberry Road - instead of popping the top on the original structure, Side Porch raised the ceiling heights on the first floor to 9 feet rather than the original 8 feet. To see all their LTTDs, take the Visual Tour found here. This was no renovation, it was a transformation.

     Since the property is vacant, it is a very easy show. Just call me at 804.301.7598 and I’ll be glad to meet you there.  

     So what did Side Porch Properties start with? Amazing, huh?

      This marker can be found at an intersection in Hanover County. It’s inscription is below:  

Late in the morning of 12 June 1862, Confederate Brig. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart and 1,200 cavalrymen reached this intersection on a mission to gather intelligence about Union Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan’s Army of the Potomac. Here Stuart’s column turned sharply northeast, in the general direction of Ashland. Having put some distance between his force and the Federal army around Mechanicsville, Stuart could move directly toward the upper end of the county. He maneuvered along these roads with confidence, since many of the men in his command, who guided the expedition, were Hanover County natives.

     For a Starbucks or Blockbuster gift card. 1.) Identify the intersection. 2.) This was a precursor to an event that started the next day and lasted until June 15, 1862. Name the event.

     It wasn’t that many years ago that I could count the million dollar sales in the Richmond area for the year on one hand. These days 2 hands are about a month’s activity for these sales. Through August, there have been 78 sales in the metro area at a million plus. Of course, the ever fashionable West End (Zone 20) leads all other locales with 21 sales to date. Here’s a fun little fact for Chas and Muffy to drop at their next cocktail party. About every 14th home that sells in Zone 20 in ‘07 sells for a million plus.  

     Number 2, and trying harder, is Goochland (Zone 24) with 18. Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone but the average million dollar sale in Goochland is $1,687,000, while their poor City cousins only averaged $1,624,187. And if you’re hanging out at the Jack Russell races at the next equestrian event, you might overhear that every 12th home that sells in Goochland breaks the mil barrier.

     The valley of humility between these two areas is the West End of Henrico (Zone 22), which has had 13 million plus sales. Must be something about those Real Estate Zones with a twenty prefix. We just accounted for 2/3 of all the sales. Now you know why Horace Greeley (actually, he got it from John Soule) popularized "Go west, young man….." 

     SOJ…South of the James, for you unwashed, finds the Midlothian area (Zone 64) touting 11 million plus sales. Oh, those River Roaders could never accept being surpassed by the Robious Roaders. Maybe the pronunciation really is Pow’hite Parkway and not Po’white.

     The remaining sales: Fan 2 (Zone 10); Glen Allen 4 (Zone 34); Hanover 5 (4 in Zone 36, 1 in Zone 44), Chesterfield 1 (Zone 52), SOJ City of Richmond 1 (Zone 60) and Powhatan 2 (Zone 66). Now go out and impress someone with your new knowledge! 

     Oh, the house in the picture. Not for sale, although it has had extensive remodeling recently. You can live in it for 4 years at the taxpayers’ expense. All you have to do is be elected Governor. Look, if Tim Kaine can do it, the bar ain’t that high!

     If Tim Kaine was a Virginian and had attended Virginia’s public schools, then he would have gotten a good dose of Virginia history since it is taught (at least when I was coming along) in 4th grade, 7th grade and then once more in 11th grade. Much like his fellow Minnesotan, Hubert Humphrey, who always had a solution for a problem we didn’t have, Kaine’s recent attempted mandate to ban smoking in restuarants just shows his disconnection with Virginia and especially Richmond.

     Just look at some of the great institutions of this town (i.e., Medical College, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, T.C.  Williams School of Law, etc.) and you will find a largesse based on tobacco. Is there any doubt why Philip Morris chose Richmond for its corporate headquarters? Tim, there’s a reason why there’s a middle school and a major artery in Henrico named John Rolfe. And Tim, get a clue, Varina wasn’t named for Jefferson Davis’ wife.  

     Know this Hanover landmark? You should, since its owner was Hanover’s favorite son. Now for the trivia question. What is it about this landmark that always makes me think of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre?

     Think you know the answer? Be the first to post the correct answer and either a Blockbuster or Starbucks gift card will be sent to you.

     Think you know this corner? Do you know this building? Hint - it’s in the very tony West End of the City. Now the real question; do you know what business this building once housed that was so out of character for the surrounding area. Be the first to identify the location, name the business, and type of business and either a Starbucks or Blockbuster card will be on the way to you.

     This historic marker says:

     "Major General James Ewell Brown Stuart, C.S.A., Commander of the cavalry of the Army of Northern Virginia, died here on May 12, 1864, in the home of his brother-in-law, Dr. Charles Brewer. Cause of his death was a wound received the previous day in defense of Richmond at the Battle of Yellow Tavern. Dr. Brewer’s house was demolished in 1893."

     Be the first to post where the marker can be found and I’ll send you a Blockbuster or Starbucks gift card. 

     Know this western Henrico landmark soon to be replaced with generic office condos? If your home was built in the 80’s or early 90’s this spot played a part in its construction. Identify this place (it’s original name), give its location and explain why it may have played a part in the construction of homes in the West End.

     Be the first to correctly answer and your choice of a Starbucks or Blockbuster gift card is on its way to you!

     With this weekend being the Chevy Rock & Roll 400, I can’t help not recirculating this old post.

 So you’re thinkin’ about movin’ down South, huh? Here’s a word of advice. We’re serious about that NASCAR. While y’all think it’s just a bunch of guys makin’ left turns all afternoon, we see it as the epic struggle of brave and chivalrous knights in the joust of life. Don’t you ever never say nothin’ bad about NASCAR.

     Know where this Richmond landmark is? Identify it, give its location, and name the child star forever linked with this Richmonder? Post the correct answer first and I’ll send you either a Starbucks or Blockbuster gift card.