Finding the Perfect Home in Queens Lake

Every home has a story

John Womeldorf knows that every home has a story. As an experienced realtor with a deep love for Williamsburg, John looks beyond the basic features of the homes he sells. In his “Every home has a story” series, John introduces potential buyers to the aspects of a home that they can’t see by viewing it online or attending a showing. By interviewing the sellers and writing about what makes each home so special, John helps his clients go from trying to see themselves living in an unfamiliar house to envisioning their family moving into their new home.

Searching for the perfect home

When Laurie and Tim McNemar decided they were ready to leave the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC behind in 2010, they set their sights on Williamsburg. The McNemars originally came down when Tim got the opportunity to transfer to a new job at NASA, but the McNemars decided to rent a townhome while they were still getting acclimated to the area.  

See details on 133 Hunter Lane for sale here

After browsing through some of the larger neighborhoods in the area like Kingsmill and Ford’s Colony, the McNemars ultimately fell in love with Queens Lake.

“We wanted something very different than what we had in DC,” says Laurie. “We wanted privacy, greenery, nature, animals, shade and walkability.”

The McNemars first saw 133 Hunter Lane before it even hit the market in 2011. Situated on a private lane with only four other homes, the McNemars were enchanted by the privacy and quaintness of the beautiful, white washed ranch. The house became available and the McNemars jumped on it.

Now retired, the McNemars have called 133 Hunter Lane home for nearly nine years, and say they have enjoyed every minute of living there. “It’s just a time of life when we are ready to downsize and simplify,” says Laurie. “This is just a wonderful home and we are ready to hand it off for another family to enjoy.”

Bringing the outside in

Situated on about an acre and a half of woods with a wet weather stream in the back yard and a large, wooded front yard, it doesn’t get more private than 133 Hunter Lane.

“What struck me the most were the windows,” says Laurie. “Every one of them is designed to connect the interior space to the outside. There’s a big bay window in the living room, a box window in the kitchen, another bay window in the kitchen, and another box window in the master bedroom. The windows draw so much light into the house.”

The connectedness of the house to nature drove Laurie’s overall interior design and color scheme. She painted each room various shades of earth tones that give a sense of warmth and nature while indoors.

“Our favorite part about the house is how it’s situated here in the woods,” says Laurie. “We have our morning coffee in the living room because the sun comes through the bay window and crosses the house. In the evenings, we watch the sunset from the other end of the house in the family room.”

Spacious, one-level living

One of the things that drew Laurie and Tim to this three bedroom, two-and-a-half bath house were the spacious room sizes, hardwood floors and the fact that the main living area is all on one level.

While the home was built in the 1960s, the other thing that charmed Laurie about the house itself was that it was remodeled in the 1990s. An architect redesigned the floor plan to be more conducive to modern living. They created a combination kitchen and family room and a master suite with a master bathroom and a large walk-in closet. They also added a half bath.

In addition to the one-level living space, there is a full basement downstairs that opens up to the outside and features lots of natural light. It also has a workshop and wood burning fireplace. “We’ve always had lots of storage,” says Laurie. There’s so many closets, cabinets, and drawers. Because there are only two of us, we have always had this big basement for storage as well.”

The dining room boasts beautiful woodwork, including a built-in corner cabinet. While they haven’t had to do many renovations since moving in, the McNemas did add subway tile and new appliances to the kitchen this year.

The room the McNemars say they enjoy spending the most time in is the combination kitchen and family room. “The large bank of windows covering the back of the home were a part of the renovation in the 1990s,” says Laurie. “We love looking out over the back yard with its ornamental maples and various species of birds. There’s also an awning that covers the back deck for optional shade.”

To add to the cozy feeling of the family room, there is a gas fireplace, one of three fireplaces in the home. The other two are wood burning fireplaces in the living room and basement.

All of the bedrooms are large in size with hardwood floors, large closets and oversized, bright windows that allow the natural light to pour in. In the guest bathroom and laundry room, skylights were added to incorporate even more natural light.

The McNemars purchased a new furnace and air conditioner in the years they have lived in the home, and they are also leaving their whole-house generator behind.

In the backyard, there’s greenery as far as the eye can see. A deck off of the family room covers the majority of the back of the house, and the basement opens up to a ground-level patio area.

Floorplans

A multi-generational neighborhood

Queens Lake is a sought-after neighborhood for various reasons, but one thing that draws many of its residents is its proximity to Interstate 64 as well as the Colonial Parkway, and the McNemars are no different.

“I’m a musician and I go to Hampton a lot to play in the Hampton Roads Philharmonic,” says Laurie. “Being on this side of town works for me so much better because I can jump right on the interstate.”

Read more about the Queens Lake neighborhood here

While the McNemars did not raise any children at 133 Hunter Lane, they say that Queens Lake is a wonderful neighborhood to grow up in. “There’s a pool, swim team, tennis courts, the lake, and a 545-acre park adjoining the neighborhood,” says Laurie. “In fact, two of the adults that live close to me grew up here in the neighborhood and now they are raising their children here.”

In addition to young families, there are people of all ages in Queens Lake, even some of the original residents who moved into the community when it was first established in the 1950s.

“The blend of all generations is something I love,” says Laurie. “I would never want to live in an age-restricted environment because I love all ages and because we learn so much from each other.”

The McNemars take daily walks in Queens Lake, which will be among the things they miss most about living at 133 Hunter Lane. “We walk every day and enjoy the beauty here of the neighborhood,” says Laurie. “The neighbors are always out walking their dogs and wave hello.”

The McNemars also love jumping on the Colonial Parkway right outside of Queens Lake and going to Yorktown, Jamestown or Colonial Williamsburg to enjoy everything the Historic Triangle has to offer. “We just love the size and quaintness of Williamsburg,” says Laurie. “I also love that it is a college town because of the youthful energy that brings.”

Text/ call 757 254 8136 for more info


The home is listed for sale at $435,000

House Location- Map


About Mr Williamsburg

Psssst! I wanted to let you in on a little secret. While I am a real estate agent…I am a different kind of real estate agent. I am creating a revolution in realty by combining everything you love about this area all into one place. Known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, I combine my extensive knowledge of the Williamsburg, Richmond, and Hampton Roads areas with my expertise in helping buyers and sellers navigate the ever-changing local real estate market to create a top-notch experience that checks all of your boxes.

Are you a homeowner searching for someone innovative and committed to selling your home? Allow Mr. Williamsburg to tell your story. With my unique marketing approach, your home will be seen from your eyes, not described in a few sentences by someone who doesn’t know it well.

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Looking somewhere other than Williamsburg? In addition to my affinity for Williamsburg, I have helped hundreds of folks find their dream home and community in areas outside of the ‘Burg, such as Yorktown, New Kent, Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Isle of Wight, Poquoson, and Richmond. I’m committed to helping you find your perfect fit and the place you’re happy to call home. Fill out this form and I’ll get back to you so we can connect.

Want to learn more about what working with me is like? While I can tell you all day why I love what I do so much, hearing directly from previous clients is the best way to see this. To read real client reviews and learn more about what it’s like working with me on your team, visit my reviews page here.

Your real estate journey is just that…yours. I get that it’ll be unique. It needs a marketing plan and a committed real estate professional to guide you every step of the way. To talk further, you can reach me via phone or text at 757-254-8136 or through email at [email protected].

I look forward to serving your real estate needs and welcoming you to this place that I’m lucky enough to call home!

John Womeldorf, Mr. Williamsburg

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