Hot House: “Springfield”, 12605 Dulaney Valley Road, Phoenix, MD 21131

Historic manor house, colonial style, in stone, stucco and clapboard, dating from the early 1800’s, in need of extensive renovation, originally part of a 1694, 2,500 acre parcel called The Valley of Jehosaphat. Two story, 6,000 sq. ft., with 6 bedrooms, 8 further rooms, 4 full, 1 half bath, fireplaces, unfinished attic, basement and three car garage. Eight acre property has fields, mature trees, stream, clay tennis court (overgrown), in-ground pool (unusable), stone smoke house, a working well, and a tunnel believed to have been part of the Underground Railroad. Auction December 6th. Minimum bid (suggested): $250,000

What: A shell. No heat, no plumbing, no electricity. Slate roof is apparently good though, floors are heart pine, mostly intact, and there’s no water damage. Unoccupied for almost 20 years, new owners will have to start interior renovations nearly from scratch. It’s a pretty house, with arched windows and doors — built over centuries. Roughly L-shaped, it’s rambling in a way that’s informal and fun, with something new around every corner. There are still some nice details in the moldings and trim work, but not much is left, it’s pretty stripped down.  The eight acres it sits on are beautiful rolling fields, dropping down to a stream, with mature trees and a horse farm on one side. There’s a lot of potential here.

Where: 695 to exit 27B, Delaney Valley Road. Stay on Delaney Valley Road for 6 miles, till road takes a sharp left at Peerce’s Plantation (this house and land were once owned by the Peerce family). Go another half mile, and No. 12605 is on the right. Although it’s rural and scenic out here, you’re just about 10 minutes from York Road in Timonium, the Towson Town Center, Interstate 83 and the beltway. Loch Raven Reservoir is within spitting distance, likewise the Loch Raven Skeet and Trap Club, the Loch Raven Fishing Center, and the Pine Ridge Golf Club.

Why: Fascinating history, old house with good bones, beautiful land. Possibility of getting staggeringly low price at auction.

Why Not: “Needs extensive renovation.”  And it’s registered in the Maryland Historical Trust Inventory and the Baltimore County Landmarks list, so renovations will likely need to be pre-approved.

Would Suit: Historic preservationist with money and a dream.

NB: Underground Railway tunnel is sealed off. In fact, you have to look pretty hard.

Contact: Dan Billig at AJBillig Auctioneers.

Hot House is sponsored by American Land Title Corporation, commercial and residential settlement agents.