House of the Week: Owner said his Clay home was ‘perfect’ when he bought it. Then he made it better
CLAY, N.Y. – When Vinny Lobdell first saw the home at 5148 Lyle Drive in Clay about three years ago, he thought it was “perfect.”
“It was meticulous inside,” he said of the five-bedroom, four-bathroom home which was an award winner at the 2008 Parade of Homes. “The house was almost like brand-new.”
Judging from the photos provided, it looks much the same way today. If anything, Lobdell has made it even better since he purchased it, making over $150,000 worth of upgrades inside and out.
“The house is just spectacular,” he said. “And a special place to live.”
The property’s location and the home’s design made it perfect for his family.
The neighborhood he said was “family-oriented,” and a “great community to raise kids in.”
His four children had over 4,000 square feet to spread out in, including a spacious playroom over the garage and a finished walk-out basement which has access to the resort-like back patio, one of upgrades Lobdell made over the last years.
With a heated swimming pool, hot tub under a pergola, and a small basketball court, the backyard provides more than enough fun activities for family gatherings, summer barbecues, or riding out last summer’s quarantine.
The dad in Lobdell appreciates the home’s design. The balconies off the kitchen and master bedroom, as well as the home’s many windows, allow him to keep an eye on children in the yard.
(He adds that the home has so many windows, “the sunlight almost heats the entire place.”)
Family time can continue inside in the spacious living room or in what Lobdell calls the “cozy” room, a small family room behind the kitchen.
The space has one of the three gas fireplaces in the house, and it allows the family to be together while meals are prepared.
“The home was laid out beautifully,” he said.
The walk-out basement has a suite, full kitchen, and family room. It could be used as an in-law apartment.
“It gives them their own space and privacy,” he said.
The basement could also be used as a pool house,
The new back patio and basketball court are just some of the upgrades which Lobdell has made.
He spent $25,000 in landscaped stone, including black lava stones which he used to accentuate the front porch.
A whole-house generator, Wi-Fi, and an ADT security system was added. The home has been totally repainted recently.
The in-ground swimming pool has a new heater, cover, filter, and pump, all installed last summer.
Lobdell, who is president of HealthWay, a global leader in air purification based in Pulaski, had the “world’s best medical grade whole house air cleaner” put into the home, ensuring the cleanest air possible from every vent.
“We have taken good care of the home,” he said modestly.
“It is a great, great home,” he added in closing.
He is selling because he wants a bit more land to play in. He has just purchased a new home on 30 acres near Skaneateles.
For more information about this property, please contact Realtor Scott D. Ellison, of Howard Hanna Real Estate Services. His contact info is below.
THE DETAILS
Address: 5148 Lyle Drive, Clay, N.Y. 13041
Price: $539,500
Size: 4,028 square feet
Acreage: 0.43 acres
Monthly Mortgage: $1,839 (based on this week’s national average rate of 3.08 percent, according to Freddie Mac, for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a 20 percent down payment. Fees and points not included.)
Taxes: $13,836 (Based on assessed value of $394,937)
Built: 2008
School District: North Syracuse
Kitchen: Like the rest of the home’s interior, the kitchen features hardwood floors and lots of windows, which looks out across the back patio. Owner Vinny Lobdell loves eating in a breakfast nook there. The kitchen has a balcony. It has stainless appliances, including a commercial refrigerator. The gas range is built into one of the counters. There is plenty of storage in cherry-wood cupboards and drawers.
Living areas: Lobdell says the home was “laid out beautifully,” and is great for big families. His favorite area is the family room behind the kitchen. He calls it the “cozy” room and the open space keeps the family together on holidays when meals are being prepared. The space has one of the three gas fireplaces in the house. The abundance of windows keeps the home toasty with all the sunlight which pours in. The main floor also has a large dining room and living room. The children had their own playroom over the garage. For maximum convenience, there are two laundry rooms, one on the second floor and one in the basement.
Bedrooms: The master bedroom is very large and is another favorite for Lobdell. It has an incredible walk-in closet and its own balcony. It is one of five bedrooms in the house.
Bathrooms: The master bathroom is one of four in the home. It has a jacuzzi-style tub and a beautiful glass shower unit. It has a double vanity.
Walk-out basement: Lobdell says that the finished walk-out basement works perfectly as an in-law apartment, giving guests space and privacy. It has a full kitchen, family room with gas fireplace, bedroom, and full bath. With its proximity to the pool, the space could be used as a “pool house” for summer parties and get togethers during the summer. There is a laundry room and additional storage space.
Outdoors: The friendly neighborhood was the first thing Lobdell mentioned during the interview for this article. “It is a great community to raise kids in,” he said. He loves the convenience of the Clay area and its proximity to things. “We have everything!” he said. The backyard has a resort feel, with a new back patio, landscaping, and basketball court. The in-ground swimming pool has a new heater, pump, filter, and cover. There is a hot tub under a pergola. The property has a two-car garage. At just under a half-acre, Lobdell likes the “really big, outdoor space.”
Agent: Scott D. Ellison
E&L Home Team / Howard Hanna Real Estate Services
Address: 102 West Seneca Street, Suite 110, Manlius, N.Y. 13104
Phone: (315) 263-6656 (cell) or (315) 682-9500 (office)
Email: [email protected]
Website: scottellison.howardhanna.com
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