Step into the backyard of this Reisterstown house and into a sand trap. The owners installed a putting green, plus 100 yards of short-game practice area with sand traps.
And, yes, hitting balls in his yard did help owner Barry Chodak improve his game.
The golf area is visible from the many floor-to-ceiling windows in Barry and Carol Chodak's custom-built home. The large house has comfortably accommodated family and friends for nearly two decades, routinely hosting at least 30 for Thanksgiving turkey in the dining room, more for Fourth of July barbecues by the pool, on the patio and tiered deck.
"For years, the house was filled with kids," Barry Chodak said. But now, with the children grown, the couple hope to downsize.
About the house --The contemporary brick house, built in 1989, has windows and sliders that take advantage of natural light. Enough sunlight pours into the high-ceilinged foyer from the upper windows in front and through a glass block wall to keep an indoor foyer garden green.
The couple crafted the main stairway's handrails from pipes and gave them a worn copper patina look with paints.
The home has six full bathrooms, plus one powder room. It can have eight bedrooms, depending on how rooms are used, though now, one is a children's library and another is an office. Storage space is everywhere, from walk-in bedroom closets to hallway closets, including one with cedar walls for off-season clothing storage.
"It's a big house," acknowledged Carol Chodak, "but it's a casual house."
Address --1 Fox Field Court, Reisterstown 21136
Asking price --$1,495,000
Taxes --$10,693
Size --The house is more than 12,000 square feet and sits on a 4.5-acre lot.
Features --Ten-foot and 9-foot ceilings allow ample wall space for art. On the main floor, a library loft overlooks a sunken living room and an expansive kitchen has a wall lined in outfitted cabinets and deep drawers. A 12-foot-long island holds a six-burner gas stovetop; other appliances include two electric ovens and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.
Several bathrooms have decorative tile: One has whimsical tiles on the bathroom floor. The master bathroom is punctuated by handmade tiles depicting an alligator, lily, frog and more. Meanwhile, the master bedroom suite features its own deck.
An in-law suite is handicap-accessible, with a brick ramp from the circular driveway and separate entrance.
The house has two basement-level garages to accommodate six cars. Much of the basement is unfinished or partly finished.
Listing agent --Christia Raborn of RE/MAX Greater Metro in Towson, 410-337-9300.
andrea.siegel@baltsun.com
To submit a candidate for Desirable Spaces, send color high-resolution photos with caption information on a CD and a detailed description of the property to Michelle Deal-Zimmerman, Real Estate Editor, The Sun, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278. Questions may be sent to homes@baltsun.com.