Darling Harlem Valley Cottage, Full of Surprises, $299,900

  |  January 3, 2019

 

Don’t zoom past this Amenia cottage on Route 83. Slow down and take a closer look…

This week on Upstater, we’ve been featuring real estate listings in southeastern Dutchess/northeastern Putnam County, and we’re pleasantly bowled over by how many potential starter homes are among the inventory as of January 2019.

Here’s one in Amenia, NY, up in Harlem Valley in Dutchess County, and with it, an unassuming facade that belies a vintage cottage. It’s positively awash in character, full of nifty details like original arched doorways, hardwood floors, and surprisingly high ceilings. Even at 1,278 square feet, the interior seems roomy.

While the front portion of the house is close to the road and separated by a stone wall and picket fence, this property is two acres in size, part of which is the backyard. More on that later.

First! To the interior!

While it could use some tweaking and updating, the two-bedroom house offers strong potential for a stylish country cottage. According to the listing, the house is heated with oil as well as the living room wood stove, and the floor includes a den/small home office.

More high ceilings in the kitchen, which is bright but needs new cabinetry and floors…

…and, upstairs, the master bedrooms, plus a small second bedroom with a closet. This house would make a great single person or two-person home with two home offices/studios, but a small family could make this work, too.

Now, onto the outside, where this property really shines. The generous yard includes two patio, gardens, foot paths, a detached studio (!), and two storage/potting sheds.

And our favorite feature of all? This open-air deck that sits perched with a view of sylvan surroundings.

The listing states that the property faces about 120 acres of protected land with ponds and other natural features. In fact, most of this part of Dutchess County is rural and patchwork quilted with farmland and pastures. Harlem Valley Rail Trail head is less than 15 minutes from this cottage, offering a place to bike, run, or walk from Wassaic in Dutchess County 15 miles north to Chatham, Columbia County.

amenia cottage

Ready to make over this Amenia cottage on two acres? Find out more about 846 Route 83, Amenia from Sotheby’s.

About Kandy Harris

Kandy is a writer and musician/music teacher living in Saugerties, NY.

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