New Beginnings

Y ou have set several criteria for the house that you seek. It should be in town. It should be not too small and not too big. It should be a house where you can live, but also one suitable for renters. It should be in move-in condition, but be the sort of house on which you can put your own mark. An over-sized lot would be great because you like to be outdoors. Off-street parking for a couple of cars is essential. Above all, it should be relatively affordable.

Put 12 New Street at the top of your list.

This charming, midnineteenth century house is on a quiet street in a great neighborhood. Main Street is perhaps a 10 minute walk. Schools and shopping are close by.

From the front steps, you enter into what was once an enclosed foyer. The wide pine floors welcome you. The wall that once separated the foyer from the living room is now gone, so the expanse of the living room opens in front of you. You think of how you will enjoy the fireplace on cool evenings. There are lots of windows to bring in the natural light. A pair of French doors opens onto the large side yard.

To the rear, the bright eatin kitchen is a cheerful place. The counters and cabinets have been redone and the appliances are new. Another pair of French doors leads to the brick patio at the rear of the house and provides a spectacular view of a large Japanese cherry tree, particularly in the spring when it is in bloom.

There is a full bath off the kitchen and the laundry is in the hall by the back door.

Back in the front of the house, off the foyer, the master bedroom beckons. With two closets and a built-in dresser, there is plenty of storage. The master bath has a large, glass-enclosed stall shower.

Upstairs are two bedrooms. It is here that you will feel a bit like Alice going through the looking glass. When you open what you think is a closet door in one of the bedrooms, you find yourself in a large unfinished space. You start to imagine the possibilities. Here is the new master suite. Here is an office hideaway. Here is a television room. You begin to see the real potential of this house.

In the basement, you feel the same way. Unfinished, with high ceilings, the only partition is across the middle. Again, you see that you have options. What a great area for a family room, a workshop, maybe a spare bedroom. With direct outside access, the basement has many possible uses.

The yard is one of the great features of the property. In addition to the back patio and the cherry tree, there is a large lawn with a couple of mature maple trees and an irrigation system. In the back, a raised area would be perfect for a garden. There is also a large, newly shingled storage shed.

The side driveway provides parking for at least two cars. The property has both town water and sewer service.

This comfortable three bedroom, two bath house, close to downtown and with as much potential as you can imagine, is offered for $1,575,000. I