What a great house - Sitting in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada, just outside Sequoia National Park, in Three Rivers, CA, on a little over an acre - just enough land to have space, and not so much that it's a burden to care for. Finished in May, 2007, that's enough time for the landscaping to have been put in and start growing; enough time for the beautiful rock wall to settle in and look as if it's been there forever; enough time for all the birds to make this a regular pit stop. With over 1900 square feet of custom-designed and custom-built space, this home is perfect for vacations or for year round living. Drip irrigation has been added with six separate areas for ease of watering, and much of the landscaping is drought tolerant. Let's take the tour!
As you walk to the front door, you pass a small fountain and a custom rock bench, just a hint of what's to come. A wide front porch invites you to sit and relax, and you can picture breakfast here listening to the sound of the fountain. But let's go in - -
Wow! The living room fireplace makes a wonderful focal point. It is custom designed with beautiful built-in bookshelves/display on each side.
The large dining room connects directly to the living room and both have access via French doors to a patio facing a gorgeous mountain view. Whether you are relaxing in front of the fireplace in the winter or seated on the patio in spring, its lovely, peaceful, and serene. The dining room is semi-divided from the kitchen by a bar area - so the cook isn't left alone in the kitchen but the cooking mess can remain hidden when you entertain. Recessed lighting frames the perimeter of the room and three hanging fixtures line up above the dining table (which was custom made for the space and may be offered for sale). It's easy to picture quiet evenings or large gatherings here.
The kitchen is a dream with all custom cabinets, granite counters and fabulous appliances. The dishwasher has two drawers, the refrigerator is the French door kind with lots of organized space, electric oven, gas cook top, and even the microwave is built-in - - all in stainless steel, of course.
Designed with cozy corner seating built in and extra storage hidden beneath the seats, and a large, lighted pantry. Recessed lighting and a hanging fixture over the table complete the kitchen, which also offers a door to the parking area.
Just off the main living room is a library or den with a window seat perfect for reading or relaxing. This room could offer a 4th bedroom possibility. The owners have a sofa-bed in this room for overflow guests. Also on the main level is a half bath, again with custom cabinetry. A large closet contains the built-in vacuum system's central unit and offers lots of storage space. Floors are high end laminate and often mistaken for hardwood, yet much more resistant to scratching, etc. The kitchen and bath have tile floors.
Upstairs the master suite has one entire side of the home. A Juliette balcony off the master bedroom is just big enough for two and offers dramatic mountain views.
Check out the view:
A roomy walk-in closet separates the bedroom proper from the bathroom. If one likes to sleep in and the other doesn't, noise is not a problem. The large bathroom has a claw foot tub, perfect for soaking, as well as an oversize, fully tiled (even the ceiling) shower. A lovely chandelier hangs above the tub. You can fall asleep dreaming here surrounded by windows! Dual sinks provide room for two and plenty of storage in the custom cabinetry below.
Two other bedrooms offer space for family and friends, and a second full bath really makes guests or children happy. Finally, an upstairs laundry, again with all custom cabinetry, means no lugging laundry up and down steps. It's conveniently located to all bedrooms and baths where most laundry originates.
The same beautiful flooring covers the upstairs floors except for tile in the baths. A gorgeous, open stairwell features custom railings and a gate at top for protection of kids or pets. There is a large storage room upstairs for all the seasonal items from decorations to extra clothing. Vacuum outlets are provided upstairs and there are extra hoses and tools upstairs so even those don't need to be dragged around!
Architect-designed, and meant to resemble an old farm house, the residence is perfectly suited to its site. There is privacy enough to make window coverings unnecessary, though those that have been added in bedrooms will remain with the house. Outside there is a 10 x 12 "man cave" for him and an 8 X 10 potting or storage shed for her - or maybe that's the other way around!
And what about the area?
Three Rivers is an amazing community. Located just outside Sequoia and Kings Canyons National Parks, there is plenty of year round activity available. A partial list includes: white water rafting and kayaking on the Kaweah River (for which Three Rivers is named) in the Spring; fishing and boating on Lake Kaweah; hiking and backpacking in the mountains; snowshoeing or cross country skiing in winter in the mountains. (Three Rivers itself, at about 1000' elevation, gets only small amounts of snow, but just above is plenty for play.) There is a 9-hole golf course; horse rentals are available locally, and of course, many people own horses. And, yes, this property could offer space for a horse or two. Lots of folks bike, either mountain biking or road biking. Southern Sierra Cyclists has a near-by chapter.
The local community is varied and sold on volunteering. You'll find everything from the Redbud Garden Club and the Native Plant Society, to the Arts Alliance, and the Lions Club. The local Women's Club runs a thrift store and provides scholarships to local students. There is a local food basket operation. A small health club recently opened. Racketball and yoga are both available. An art studio tour takes place bi-annually and attracts visitors from hundreds of miles around. A K-8 school sits in the heart of Three Rivers with high school students attending one of several schools "down the hill". There are several churches in the community with both religious services and community activities.
"Big box" stores are available in Visalia, about 40 to 45 minutes drive "down the hill", but much of what's needed for daily living is available in Three Rivers. There is a local market which even carries organic produce. A "mercantile" store provides hardware, paint, tools, garden supplies, etc., and is very well stocked. A local garden center does the same for plants both native and non-native, and the owners offer great advice for free. The local drug store fills prescriptions and carries all the usual sundries as well as a host of souvenirs. They go out of their way when residents need prescription help. Several restaurants offer the opportunity to eat out, and there are venues for purchase of arts and crafts including the Art-Co-op, owned by a group of artists. The post office is open 6 days a week, and there are gas stations in Three Rivers open 7 days a week.
There is a small airport in Visalia as well as train and bus service. Visalia offers the College of theSequoias, symphony, and several theater groups, and all the shopping you could want. Three Rivers is conveniently located to both Los Angeles and San Francisco as well as the Central California coastal towns. The town is unincorporated, so determining a population is somewhat dependent upon where exactly one thinks of the "town" ending. A rough figure of 2700 -3000 is reasonable. With National Parks to the East and Lake Kaweah on BLM land to the West, Three Rivers is essentially protected from the type of over-development that has plagued many small communities in the California foothills. And, while Three Rivers does attract its share of visitors, many "tourists" come for the National Parks, so the village has avoided the t-shirt and souvenir shop atmosphere that spoils many true tourist towns. This is one tiny gem that may get to remain unspoiled!
So, the details:
3 Bedrooms
2 1/2 baths
1920 sq ft +/- plus two separate outbuildings, also new
1.03 acres
Kitchen appliances remain with house
Window coverings remain with house
Community Water Association water
Septic system
Propane heat, water heater, and gas cook top, rented tank
Central a/c
Ceiling fan in master bedroom, two other bedrooms pre-wired for fans
Satellite TV and Internet
AT&T phone service and cell service with good cell reception at the house
Offered at $365,000, below the cost to build or replacement cost.
For additional information or to schedule a viewing, contact: hammondhouse@wildblue.net
