312 Burnside Ave

Norristown, PA 19403

You can live in one of the most beautiful spots in the Delaware Valley! But you're going to want to work for it for a bit. 312 Burnside Avenue is a deeded 5.262 acres of peace - woods, private trails and meadow with Stony Creek running the full length of the property. On those hidden acres of tranquillity are four dwellings: a gracious Main House, a Cottage, an Apartment/Guest Quarters and a Spring House. Three of the four can be happily occupied with minor repairs plus an upgrade to at least one of the septic systems. But you'll want to do more! - - - The historic Farmhouse/Manor is one of the oldest buildings in Montgomery County, dating from c.1772 and primarily built in the 1800s. A large, covered porch is the perfect place to welcome guests and enjoy your exquisite views. Wide plank wood floors, extensive millwork, and deep window sills throughout. The first floor features a large kitchen, spacious formal Dining room, a grand but welcoming Great Room and a charming powder room. The second floor offers 3 large bedrooms, a 4th large room now serving as laundry, and a full bath with a vanity and a classic clawfoot soaking tub. The unfinished third floor lends (non-heated) space with 3 additional rooms and a landing/study nook. Ready to be converted from storage to a new bath, more bedrooms or a home office or hobby room. The unfinished basement has the two original fireplaces, believed to be from the early owners' initial winter on the land, and now offers plenty of space for a workshop and storage with a door to the outside. You'll probably want to refinish the irreplaceable wide plank floors throughout, two of the rooms suggest how worthwhile this could be! Options for upgrading septic or connecting to the public sewer are detailed in the Seller's Disclosure. A wing of the Main House, probably dating from the late 1800s/early 1900s, was previously called "The Summer Kitchen," and has most recently been rented as a 1 bedroom + den apartment with an eat-in kitchen. The Cottage, coveted by many who have seen it as a music or art studio or a spacious home office, was most recently rented as a 1 bedroom apartment as well. It needs grading outdoors, a section of new flooring, and new carpeting. Each rental unit brought in $850/month, and it is expected they could generate $1,000/each with minor upgrades. Utilities for all four dwellings are separately metered. The biggest question in terms of what you choose to take on is the Spring House, with four rooms and a kitchen and full bath on the first floor, and two bedrooms and a full bath on the second. It overlooks Stony Creek, and has a great room which is half glass. It needs major repairs, or could be torn down. Altogether, you could have one fabulous owner's home and three rental units, four amazing rentals, or one Main House and two or three outbuildings, homes for your older or younger family, or guest units. Or you could happily move in soon, and make up your mind from there. The property is priced to reflect the fact that this work is required. You can easily double the value of any improvements you make and end up with a fabulously valuable estate. Or you can move in with basic repairs, and slowly build that value yourself over time. The land is what will make it all worthwhile. Come see, and bring your hiking shoes to see how private and exquisite your trails through the woods and meadows are.