Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 12, 1995 TAG: 9503150014
SECTION: HOMES PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SHANNON D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
From the outside, the identical homes look almost like overgrown playhouses. But one look inside these 576-square-feet houses reveals quite a package.
The houses - each with two bedrooms and one bathroom, a living area and distinct kitchen - appear quite spacious considering the houses are not much larger than two motel rooms.
"It's amazing that you can have such comfortable living conditions in such small square footage," said Richard Winstead, a Realtor from Peery and Flora Ltd. Real Estate who is selling the houses for Chisom.
Winstead said the houses are on the market, but will not be advertised until they are completed, which should be this month, weather permiting. Chisom, an electrical contractor, began the project last summer. The land at 11th Street and Riverside Boulevard Southwest, had been vacant for more than 15 years.
The market price of the houses will be in the mid-to-upper $40,000s, Chisom said.
And according to those in the business, finding a new house for under $50,000 isn't easy. "It's very rare to find a new single family detached home in that price range," said Don Constable, president of the Roanoke Valley Association of Realtors.
When Chisom decided he wanted to build, he faced some small challenges. The Architectural Review Board had a reputation for imposing strict building codes in the historic district of Roanoke, where Chisom's land lies. But the design he wanted to use didn't meet many of the board's standards.
Most of the those conditions applied to the exterior of the houses, such as a front porch spanning at least two-thirds of the front of the house. The board also called for a roof pitch three inches higher than the original design. Chisom complied with these and other regulations.
Although the board did not set any guidelines for the interior, Chisom did. "Just because it's a lower-income home, doesn't mean you have to short-change anyone," Chisom said.
Chisom added special touches to the interior such as oak cabinets with brass hardware; plaster walls as opposed to drywall; and central air and heating. He also added a high-quality vinyl siding, each house in various soft pastels.
But why would someone put so much time and added expense into such small houses when he could have easily stopped after meeting city codes?
"I think [Chisom] wanted to give someone a quality product for their dollar," said Winstead, who has known Chisom for about 25 years. "He is a very conscientious businessman."
City planner Evie Lander was also impressed with Chisom's business philosophy. She worked with him while planning the homes.
"Most people comply [with building codes], but he's probably in the minority for wanting to go the extra mile," Lander said. "I think he's interested in the quality of work he gives the public. It's as if he were building it for himself."
Lander added that she would like to see more examples of houses like Chisom's.
"It serves as a model that you can provide affordable housing that's small in nature, but has architectural features that makes it attractive."
The houses could also enhance property value in the area, Lander said.
by CNB