R EA L E STATE
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS | FCNP.COM
FALL 2020 | PAGE 11
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Cram House’s High Price Makes Subdivision Sale Option Possible
BY MATT DELANEY
FALLS CHURCH NEWS-PRESS
The Victorian-style home once occupied by beloved City of Falls Church resident Barb Cram is on the market just four months after her passing, but its lofty price tag has made the option of purchasing a parcel of its land a bit more appetizing — especially to home construction companies. “There’s been a great deal of builder interest in the lot,” listing agent Tori McKinney, of Rock Star Realty, said. The possibility of buying a chunk of the lot was brought
into the equation by Steve Cram, Barb’s husband. He submitted a request to the City’s planning commission — which has subsequently been approved — for the lot to be subdivided, shaving off about a quarter of an acre in the rear of the home, where its driveway, detached garage and the rear of its garden is situated. “There aren’t many lots available in this neighborhood. That’s the reality. The market reality,” Cram said. As it stands now, the home and all 0.7 acres of land it sits on is going for $2.7 million. After two open houses in late September that, according to
McKinney, welcomed in about 200 people, there has yet to be any significant bites so far. If someone were to purchase the lot for $750,000, then it would knock down the price of the home and the remaining half acre to $1.95 million. Outside of land alone, the price would be reduced since the added solarium, or sunroom, of the home that houses its multi-purpose pool would have to be demolished to create more space for the other home to be built. The listing prices are well above City averages. According to Redfin, the median sales price in Falls Church is $972,000. And
A VIEW FROM THE GARDENS that serve as the entrance to the Cram’s Victorian era home along Jefferson Street. The garden and home were featured in Virginia’s Historic Garden Week in April 2016 after the garden had fully matured after 30 years. (P����: N���-P����.)
the average days on market is 25, per Redfin, which the Cram house recently eclipsed. McKinney wouldn’t go as far as to say selling the home is a challenge, but it is an acquired taste. Historic homes usually
have to appeal to people who would rather a home with some patina over one that’s recently constructed. And she said the pool of historic homes is differ-
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INSIDE: F.C. Housing Market Bounces Back, But Overall Sales Prices Down ���� 15 | F.C. Real Estate Market #s (insert) ����� 16
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