Virginia Estates: Traditonal Colonial Estates and Contemporary Estate Properties

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By Elaine VonCannon, ABR, SRES, Associate Broker, Notary, Team Leader, Property Manager, Award Winning Agent

Colonial Virginia estates are steeped in American history. For many, these large land holdings with multiple outbuildings in the rural south inspire remembrances of the American South at the height of elegant living. Even with the advent of metropolitan living and modern conveniences, the colonial Virginia estate has never quite gone out of style. Currently Virginia estates are sought after properties surging in popularity. Many Virginia estates are sought after by for their charm and location. Some of the older estates in need of renovation are sought after by buyers whose love of history and nostalgia for a bygone era are paramount. Estates appeal to buyers whose preferred lifestyle has led them to large Virginia estates as residents so they may incorporate farming, sporting, or entertaining guests into their daily lives.

Contemporary Virginia estates are being built with the features of luxury homes and cater to the tastes of the luxury buyer. Some include saunas, spas, indoor and/or outdoor swimming pools or lap pools, work out facilities, wet bars, and sports rooms. Families are also requesting outdoor kitchens and living spaces. Contemporary estates start in the $400,00-500,000 range and are priced upwards into the millions, depending upon acreage, outbuildings, and features.

Types of Colonial Virginia Estates
The contemporary Virginia estate owner is seeking refuge from the crowded living and traffic patterns of larger urban areas. With privacy and a large amount of space, families can utilize the different rooms in the house for various activities, and guests can be housed and entertained properly. There are many types of estates in Virginia: these include waterfront estates, equestrian estates, historic estates, country estates, and sporting estates. The estate purchaser will have a unique area of interest and pursue a land holding which accommodates those interests.

Historic Virginia Estates, Country Estates and Equestrian Estates
Historic estates in Virginia abound. The National Register of Historic Places lists 2,000 state properties. The history and lineage of Virginia Estates are indexed in a two volume book, Index to Virginia Estates, by Helen FM Leary. Though this two volume collection is geared towards the genealogical investigator, a real estate buyer who is interested in investing in a Virginia Estate might easily discover its history in its pages. Many historic Virginia Estates date to Colonial Times, though many were built in the 19th Century Antebellum South and post civil war eras. There are also some excellent equestrian estates in Virginia, which has always been renowned for horse breeding, training, and competition. Country estates in Virginia can often date to the colonial period. Many are still in excellent condition because they have been continually inhabited by many generations.

Waterfront Estates
The Chesapeake Bay and its many tributaries were main thoroughfares in colonial Virginia. For this reason, waterfront estates are plentiful in the northern neck of Virginia (areas like Gloucester, Matthews, Gwyn's Island) and along the James River and York River, near Williamsburg and Yorktown. Williamsburg was the 18th Century colonial capital of Virginia and many landholders wanted to be as close as possible.

Land Parcels to Build Estates
For the luxury home owner that would like to custom build their estate home on a suitable parcel of land for an estate, Virginia has plenty of large parcels that would make perfect sites for the contemporary Virginia estate. Land parcels for estates offer gorgeous views of picturesque countryside, and rivers and ponds.

As a realtor in Williamsburg Virginia area I have a vast knowledge of estate properties and the local area. My marketing area includes East of Richmond, Virginia and South of the Eastern Shore to the North Carolina border. Call me at 757-288-4685 if I can help you select the Virginia Estate that meets the criteria for the home you desire.

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