Cedarvale has 3 floors (the 3rd floor is used for storage but extra rooms could be constructed if needed) and 6 fireplaces - two have been walled over through the years. We have burned in all of them but no longer use them. After living here 33 years, the novelty has worn off. The first floor in the main part of the house consists of the living room, library, dining room, den, kitchen-dinette (36 x 14), and the center hall and staircase to the second floor. The wing to the garage has the little den, full bath, and laundry room.The second floor consists of three bedrooms, adjoining his and her bathrooms (hers has a Jacuzzi and shower, his has a shower), plus a center hall and staircase to the third floor.

All of the floors in Cedarvale are natural with no varnish. Original floors were washed with water and sand. I think there are 28 doors in the house - 22 raised panel, 2 batten, and 4 french. All are equipped with H or H & L hinges, period locks, and latches. You will also find wainscot - raised and flat panel, or chair rail in almost all rooms.

The garage has two entry doors and contains the geothermal heat pump which is set-up with two zones. There are no outside mechanical systems and all wiring is buried. Above the garage is an 1820 recreated room (using all salvaged materials) with a full bath and a heat pump with air conditioning. All four bathrooms have granite counter tops. The oldest bathroom was redone in 1996. The other three were done in the past two years, two completely with all new plumbing and the others with 90% new plumbing. Copper was used throughout with PVC used only for drains and vents. A complete new roof was installed on the main house with new plywood and new architectural shingles in November 2003. The garage wing with bonus room roof was completely rebuilt in June 2005. The house was recently painted inside and out, has a new front porch floor, and a new deck with a Sunsetter awning.

In addition, we have a building that was constructed in 1995 as a shop and storage. It is essentially a house. It measures 33' x23' with a second floor and a disappearing stairway. Both floors are sheathed in 3/4" plywood and the walls downstairs are sheet rocked, but not finished. It has a 200 AMP electrical box, but does not have heat/ac or plumbing. The total square footage of this building is 1518 square feet. The exterior is done in beaded vinyl siding. The building is also fully insulated. It will not take a great deal of money to make it a guest house. It also has a separate electrical meter. There is also a storage shed that was built in 1996 and it is 20' x 16'. A brand new exposed aggregate concrete driveway was installed in November 2006 that goes from the front of the house and around to the garage with an additional two car pad. We are free of termites (just had the annual inspection in March 2007). The two zone Geothermal Heat Pump, with all new duct work upstairs and down, was first operational in January of 1996.

We use nothing but electricity for all of our utilities. I have kept the electric bills from 2000-2006. For the past 84 months, the electric bill has averaged $198.00 per month. We are about as well insulated as we can get in a 200 year old house. Our water is supplied by Perquimans County. A new septic system and drain field was installed in 1995. County taxes for 2006 were $721.09. Total Square Footage: Approximately 5966 sq. ft. Total Heated Square Footage: Approximately 4073 - minus garage and third floor.

If you are thinking about a historic home and a bed and breakfast, to bring in added income, Cedarvale may be the opportunity you are looking for.

You are 2 minutes from the Beechtree B&B Inn and Restaurant. Ben Hobbs has a complex of 16 houses and buildings and teaches classes in traditional 18th century furniture making. (beechtreeinn.net)

You are also 2 minutes away from Albemarle Plantation with golf course and restaurant. Chowan Golf and Country Club is 15 minutes away outside of Edenton. The Pines Golf and Country Club in Elizabeth City (where I am a Member) is 30 minutes from the house. Public boating access is 5 minutes away in Snug Harbor.

The Bethel Fire Department and a country store with gasoline are a mere 1/4 mile away. Food Lion, pharmacy, hardware store, auto repairing and all the other modern conveniences are 10 minutes away.