Photo courtesy of Bright MLS
A relaxing spot at 1388 Crenshaw Road, in Upperville, Va., sited on 5 acres.
Ever dream about a second-home getaway? Something on the beach, at the lake, in the woods or mountains? There are plenty of beautiful towns within driving distance of Alexandria to explore as a potential second-home getaway.
The reasons most people purchase a second home, according to Merrill, a Bank of America company, include:
- as a family getaway
- a source of rental income
- diversify investment assets
- test-drive a retirement location
Expenses to watch out for include:
- keeping a home heated in the winter to prevent frozen pipes
- liability insurance for a lake house
- flood insurance for a beach house
- unforeseen expenses such as septic tank repair or a rise in HOA fees
Some popular areas within driving distance of Alexandria (that include a range of home prices) include wine country, both near Middleburg and Upperville as well as further south near Charlottesville. Other getaway areas include Deep Creek Lake, Md., Rehoboth, Del., the Outer Banks in North Carolina, Cape May, N.J. and the mountains of West Virginia. We'll take a look at these areas and others along with a variety of real estate options in those locations.
Wine Country
Located about an hour-and-half west of Alexandria, the Upperville/Middleburg area is home to horses, wineries, antiquing and bucolic rolling vistas. There are 20 wineries within a 30-minute drive of Middleburg. The quaint downtown area is home to the Red Fox Inn and Tavern, said to be one of the oldest continuously run inns in the country with roots dating back to 1728 and the Forbes Five-Star resort Salamander Middleburg. The Salamander is home to Harriman’s Grill, which has outdoor seating looking out on beautiful open spaces.The more secluded Goodstone Inn & Restaurant is located just outside of town.
There are several options for home purchases in the area. Here’s one of our favorite listings, in Upperville, a 7,225-square foot home, featuring five bedrooms and six baths. Here's more about the home, from it's listing, followed by more home options in the area.
Photos courtesy of Bright MLS
1388 Crenshaw Road, Upperville, Va.
Set on an idyllic five-acre parcel and bordering a 400-acre private estate, this extraordinary Neoclassical Palladian villa offers nearly 6,000 sq feet of interior living space with spectacular views of the iconic Blue Ridge Mountains.
Originally built in 1997 by esteemed architect Errol Adels, the home finished a two-year renovation in late 2017 and continues to be well maintained. Inside, a magnificent great room includes the gourmet kitchen, dining room and two seating areas that overlook the terrace and swimming pool. Each of the home’s five bedrooms - including two large ground level master suites - offer ensuite baths clad in floor to ceiling Carrara marble.
Additional noteworthy features include 10' custom doors, custom oak cabinetry, Miele and Sub-Zero appliances, Italian marble countertops, Lefroy Brooks fixtures and sconces, 180-year-old reclaimed wide-plank flooring, and custom millwork throughout.
The 1,225 sq foot guest house has a spacious entertaining space with a concealed full kitchen, large bedroom and ensuite bath. The pool, outdoor spaces and gardens are inviting and well proportioned. Tasteful decor. Completely private and in the middle of Virginia hunt country, Lily Pad is an ideal weekend or full-time residence.
Listed by Laura Farrell• TTR Sotheby's International Realty •540-212-9993 (broker) •theplains@ttrsir.com (broker)
Listed by Michael Rankin• TTR Sotheby's International Realty •202-333-1212 (broker) •georgetown@ttrsir.com (broker)
Other options
Residences at Salamander: If you’re interested in living a resort lifestyle, your home purchase comes with membership at Salamander Middleburg. That includes concierge services to help with dining and spa reservations or tee times and horseback riding. Each residence also includes a one-year membership to Creighton Farms Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus-designed course, and the Middleburg Tennis Club. Current homes on the market are priced from $3,950,000 for a four-bedroom, seven-bath home to $2.7 million for a four-bedroom, five-bath home. Visit the Web site for more information.
If you’re looking for a home that might work as an Airbnb, how about a two-bedroom, one-bath cottage, on the market for $485,000? Known as “The Pink Cottage,” it sits on a half-acre lot just outside of Middleburg.
Listed by: Sam Fisher 703-408-4261, On The Market Properties,
Co-Listing Agent: Curt Andrew Schaber 703-338-7300, On The Market Properties
