If you're a fan of cherry blossoms, now's the time to shop for a house - by starting with the landscaping. A 1905 Victorian in Ravenna has an asking price of $918,000; and it comes with well-tended and designed gardens. A great excuse for dropping by for a tour.
The house is a 3 bedroom, 1.75 bath, with enough floors to reach into the trees. Inside and out it maintains the character of the era without abandoning the modern comforts. The most distinctive touches inside may be the diamond-shaped windows and the partial-height wood paneling. At 2,070 square feet it isn't tiny or enormous, just right for someone.
Outside, the covered front porch looks classic, a good place for a cup of tea (hot or iced) on a nice afternoon. That's one way to meet the neighbors. The back deck is larger and more modern, unless someone somehow developed transparent corrugated roofing a century ago. A good place for a picnic dinner.
The yards are dominated by hardscape; bricks, tiles, and stone that create walkways, a safe area for grilling and barbecuing, and very little lawn to mow. This season, the yard frames the house with blossoms and bulbs. Soon, the wisteria will take over. The raised beds provide an opportunity to grow something more practical, like food. That's a tradition that extends back to Victorian times.
· 5719 16th Ave NE [Estately]
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