By Jennifer Huberdeau
The allure of the log cabin begins with an idea: Warming up beside a crackling fire after a day of hitting the slopes. Finding serenity in the peaceful silence of rolling hills during an afternoon hike. Trading the buzz of the city for the tranquility of the country.
“There’s a quintessential charm people are looking for when they are in the market for a log cabin,” said Leslie Fraser, an agent with Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty of West Dover, Vt.
That charm often includes a wood-burning stove, a stone fireplace, angled chalet-style windows and vaulted ceilings.
“For those looking to invest in this type for real estate, mainly second-home owners, the log cabin represents a very rustic, warm getaway. There’s a very romanticized image that goes along with these homes,” said Monique White, an agent with The Hermitage Deerfield Valley Real Estate group of West Dover, Vt. “It’s a place where they can get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. They can go skiing. They can imagine the family warming up together in front of the fireplace.”
For those seeking the ambiance of the log cabin of our forefathers built, but aren’t looking to live a more rustic life, today’s log homes are a favorite option.
“There really is something for everyone,” Fraser said. “We have everything from the very rustic cabin to the more expensive post-and-beam log home, with lots of natural wood, that has every modern convenience you can imagine.”
The more contemporary log homes, which come in a variety of shapes and sizes, have the look and feel of a cabin, but also have finished walls, multiple bathrooms and state-of-the-art kitchens.
“Today there are so many different types of log cabins and log homes. It’s easy to envision yourself living in a log cabin,” White said, noting a recent client had dreamed of owning a log cabin for over 30 years. “There’s a real calling for these people.”
1. A Cabin on the Battenkill- 5038 River Road, Arlington, Vt.
List Price: $299,500
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 2
Year Built: 1984
Square Footage: 1,219
Acres: 8.17
Taxes: $4,548
Agent: Alan Hess, Able Realty
More information: 1-800-375-9442 or ablerealty.com
Spend your afternoons and weekends fishing, kayaking and swimming in the Battenkill River, stretches along 900 feet of this log cabin’s 8 acres of meadow land.
Just a short trip by car to Manchester or Saratoga, N.Y., this two-bedroom, two-bath log cabin offers an enclosed porch, cathedral ceilings, natural woodwork, skylight and a walk-in closet.
2. An Enchanting Log Cabin- 86 White Birch Lane, Wardsboro, Vt.
List Price: $219,000
Bedrooms: 3
Bathrooms: 3
Year Built: 1974
Square Footage: 2,268
Acres: 2
Taxes: $4,678
Agent: Leslie Fraser, Four Seasons Sotheby’s International Realty Mount Snow
More information: 802-464-1200 or leslie.fraser.fourseasonssir.com
With access to snowmobile trails in Green Mountain National Forest and located within a 15-minute drive of Mount Snow and Stratton, this cabin is the perfect getaway for the outdoor enthusiast.
Enjoy the rustic charm of an older log cabin with all the modern amenities of modern living, including a whirlpool tub and separate shower in the master bedroom, as well as a fully-equipped kitchen and baseboard heating. This nine-room home has three bedrooms, two full bathrooms and two stone fireplaces.
3. 1927 Cabin in Whitingham- 782 Route 8A, Whitingham, Vt.
List Price: $159,000
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 1
Year Built: 1927
Square Footage: 1,226
Acres: 2.78
Taxes: $3,588
Agent: Monique White, The Hermitage Deerfield Valley Real Estate
More information: 802-464-3055 or hermitagedvre.com
Built in 1927, this log cabin harkens back to a simpler time. Surrounded by stone walls on 2.7 acres, this home is far away enough from civilization to enjoy its country setting, but still close enough to be a short drive from the slopes of Mount Snow. There’s also plenty of nearby trails for snowmobiling.
This two-bedroom cabin features cathedral ceilings, a stone fireplace with an inset wood stove and wood floors. The enclosed porch serves as a bunk room and the main bedroom has a laundry area.
4. Paradise in the Berkshires- 220 Antelope Drive, Lee, Mass.
List Price: $160,000
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 1
Year Built: 1975
Square Footage: 1,128
Acres: 0.63
Taxes: $2,950
Agent: Kim Gordnier, Mountain Brook Realty
More information: 413-637-4466 or mountainbrookrealty.idxbroker.com
A three-season sunroom, private tennis courts, boat docks and access to Goose Pond are only some of the amenities that come with this log cabin.
Part of the Lee Leisure Community — a former ski area — this 1,128-square-foot cabin has a master bedroom as well as a loft that can be used as an additional sleeping area.
5. A Contemporary Log Home with Seasonal Views- 29 Owls Head Hill Lane, Dorset, Vt.
List Price: $675,000
Bedrooms: 5
Baths: 4.5
Year Built: 1984
Square Footage:4,558
Acres: 4.9
Taxes: $14,421
Agent: David Shehadi, Josiah Allen Real Estate
For more information: 802-867-5555 and 802-362-3355 or www.josiahallen.com
This contemporary log home is a dream for someone who loves to entertain. Whip up a meal for your guests in your own chef’s kitchen and then choose from a variety of spaces to serve it — on the covered porch, the back deck or the slate terrace.
With five bedrooms and 4.5 baths, this two-story home has plenty of room for the whole family and a few overnight guests. It’s also close to town, so there’s plenty of nearby shopping, dining and recreational activities to keep everyone busy.
6. A Cabin on Woodford Lake- 6523 VT Route 9, Woodford, Vt.
List Price: $260,000
Bedrooms: 2
Baths: 2
Year Built: 1960
Square Footage: 1,350
Acres: 10.12
Taxes: $3,038
Agent: Monique White, The Hermitage Deerfield Valley Real Estate
More information: 802-464-3055 or hermitagedvre.com
Enjoy your own private stretch of shoreline on Woodford Lake while living in this two-bedroom, two-bath cabin. A cozy living space offers a combined living and dining room with an open beam ceiling and a large stone fireplace, along with large kitchen and sun room.
Located on 10 acres near Woodford State Park, as well as Woodford and Prospect mountains, this home offers ample opportunities for outdoor adventures. When not on the lake fishing or kayaking, take in the views from a large deck or from the comfort of your own private fire pit.•
