The evening was a hot one, even for early September in the Baltimore area. The open house was to start at 6:30, and at 6:00 there was already a crowd gathering outside, fanning themselves – at least there was a breeze, though a warm one. To be fair to the owners, we wouldn't open until the official start time. After all, it's not easy getting 6,000 sq.ft. in open house condition, working full time, having a life, and sharing the space with a couple of beautiful greyhounds. The question was – should we turn on the air conditioning, or open all the French doors and let the breezes in? We did both, and so some spaces were cool and some were breezy.
Before the opening I had time to talk with the crowd of more than 30 prospective buyers and share all the wonderful stuff I know about this historic building and my dear friend, the artist Tatiana. I showed them the cornerstone that reads 1889, and we had time to walk the property and see the freestanding building that housed Tatiana's kiln. What treasures of ceramic art came from that smoke-stained building! The building would make a great workshop, classroom, or storage space.
The adjacent cemetery brings different reactions from people. The cemetery was begun when the building was used as a church, and was sold many years ago to the former congregation who still care for it. Some people, often the creative, artists, writers, etc., find the space very calming and peaceful. The extensive decking provides the perfect place to sit and contemplate.
There were plenty of questions and it was great to watch the anticipation build as the time grew close to go inside. Not everything about the building is clear from the outside, and the green house windows drew plenty of speculation. Designed by Tatiana's late husband, William Potts who was an architect and used it as his studio, this part of the addition has its own private front entrance as well as a "secret" curved stairway from the inside.
When the doors opened at 6:30 it was fun to watch the expressions of young and old take in the huge space with the original ceilings, floors, and windows. And then to see how Tatiana, who lived here for more than 30 years, made use of the gourmet kitchen and the huge sunroom. Asked about access, I showed one very nice lady with a cane the ramp in the rear. (She of course reassured me that she did not need it!)
I asked the children if they would like to live here, and was answered with such excitement..."Yeah, this would be cool!" So I of course suggested they all go pick out their rooms and then report back to me. One wanted the studio apartment, one wanted the cool room upstairs with the round stained window, one wanted Tatiana's bedroom and was fascinated by her Japanese RED soaking tub. Remember, I was using my former Pediatric RN training - get the kids involved.
I pointed out the possibility of using the huge library as a master bedroom since it has a full bath attached. The glaze room area with its small office and bath would be an ideal place for a laundry. And that still leave four bedrooms plus two more baths and a full laundry upstairs.
During all this Paul Sobwick, our good-looking auctioneer from Auction Brokers, was listening and talking and making everyone comfortable, answering questions about the auction and how it works. Paul had some fun with the crowd, too. We had printed up some flyers asking the buyers to guess the final selling price. The person who comes closest will win dinner at a very nice local restaurant.
We stayed until almost 9:00 pm, sitting outside and talking about how successful the open house was and what good energy we all felt. We are all very excited about the upcoming auction in just two weeks on September 20.
This was definitely not your every day open house!
Auction Thursday September 20th at 11:00 AM.
Update! Was finally able to get two more special photos of this unique property.
The 1889 cornerstone anchors the building in history and somehow makes the history real.
And here is that wonderfully smoky kiln building with its memories of creating elegant art works. Note the old school bell, too!
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Wow...First I thought an evening open house??? Unheard of here. Then I read that is was an auction and understood. That sounds like an incredible house...had it been on the market?
Hi Margaret,
Very good post i really enjoy reading. I hope your open house was successful, Good Luck!!!!
Anthony
So....how much did it end up going for? LOL You have my interest peaked at this point. Very well written and creative post. I wonder if being around Tatiana's work didn't inspire you a bit...a ceramic muse, so to speak. Anyway, let us know what it went for. It sounds like the open house was a hit! Thanks for the post.
Margaret,
What a fantastic house, sounds like the open house was a huge success. Please let us know how the auction goes! :)
No wonder you had so many visitors. What a house !!
Monika, Yes it has been on the market for quite some time. Lots of interest but we just did not find the right buyer. I wanted the open house to be different than a typical Sunday OH.
Anthony, It was a successful Open House. We will know about the succes after the auction on the 20th.
Andrew, Will let you know after the 20th.
Suzanne, Thank for stopping by. Will let you know how it goes.
Missy, You said it, what a house!
Great turnout, Margaret. Do you have any idea what percentage were real potential buyers vs people curious to see the inside of the unique structure and its decorating?
Margaret - What a great house! Lots of room and great views! I love the red bathtub! I hope the auction goes well!
Pat, There is so much creativity going on in this property and such a good vibes. I love being in this space.
Sharon,I think the people that came were definitely people who loved this property and my feeling is there were potential buyers. We did not use open house signage...only internet, mls and print advertising.
Linda, This is such a wonderful home. That is a Japanese soaking tub that Tatiana really used to soothe her tired little body after long days working the heavy clay.
Very interesting post, Margaret! The house is absolutely intriguing... leaves me wanting to see more pictures! Congrats on your great turn-out. You obviously did your homework, and it paid off.
Sandi, Thank you for your wonderful comments. There are a few more photos on my website.
Margaret, I have got to get by to see this place! I've driven by it so many times and thought the house and setting were amazing! Your photos really bring the place to life!
Pat,
Come by Saturday at 12 noon. I have to be there for an out of the country buyer! I would love to see you!
Margaret, What a beautiful property...thanks for sharing such lovely pictures and giving such a descriptive account; I felt like I was there in person !
Jo
Now that is an Open House! Great work Margaret!!
Jo-Anne, Thanks. I wish you could be here in person. You have some wonderful properties on your site!
Jason, Yep, that was not the typical open house.
Well I checked out all the photo's and I love the old black and white one of the church way back when...maybe you have a before and after someplace or in the listing. I couldn't log on to see more pictures, it required a password. I wanted to see if you had one of the cornerstone that said 1889. I also love how you told the kids to pick out their bedrooms, I'm going to use that one on my next open house...thanks for the tip!
I have no clue what something like that would sell for, being in Redding, California I could guess depending on the area but I have no idea's without searching the web so I guess I'll just have to wait till the auction.
Good luck and sounds like you know how to market a unique property like that. You have given me some idea.
What a great space. Please do keep us informed of what it sells for. I have picked up a couple of ideas here as well that I will be using in my upcoming open houses.
Thanks for sharing with all of us on AR.
Best,
Scott
Terri, I will try to take a photo of the cornerstone and post it here. Thanks so much for your comments and I am glad you got some ideas here.
Scott, Glad some of these techniques have been of help to you.
Malynda, And thanks for your creative head for introducing us!! Always will be grateful!
Wow! I'd love to have an open house with 30 potential buyers, but I'd love even more to be marketing such a unique and beautiful home!!! Best of luck with the auction!!!!
Chris, This has been a wonderful challenge.. marketing such a a unique property. Just waiting for the perfect buyer who will love this historic home!
What a fabulous Home! Beautiful just beautiful! Makes me wish I lived there! It is a perfect retreat for a creative person.
Allison, I wish you lived here also. This home is such a special place for creativity. We are excited about the auction. Thanks for stopping by.
What a great place! I would love to inspect a house like this. I did do a Civil War era farm house earlier this year. It had the original timbers with bark on them in the basement. Stacked stone foundation. Knob and tube wiring.
Bill, Maybe the new buyer would like to use you as an inspector.
Our settlement is scheduled for next Friday.