But don’t worry — we’re not moving into this one.
We recently bought a beach house. It’s not a glossy, high-end retreat — it’s nearly a century old and easily the roughest property we’ve taken on so far. The house needs a lot of work, and it’s already shaping up to be one of our most demanding renovation projects, but its age, character, and location made it impossible to resist.
If you want to hear us chat about it casually, we recorded this on the podcast; otherwise read on for photos and the full story.
Where is it?
The house is in Cape Charles, VA, a small historic town on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. That peninsula is separated from the rest of the state by the Chesapeake Bay, so it’s about a 2.5-hour drive from our home in Richmond, including a scenic drive across the Bay’s long bridge.
We first discovered Cape Charles in 2013 when we were invited to be part of a tourism video. We instantly loved the place and have returned many times since. The town has a slow, walkable rhythm — people get around by foot, bike, or golf cart — and it’s full of small-town charms: an independent ice cream shop on the main street, a friendly mail carrier, and a single-screen movie theater called the Palace Theatre. The bay-side beach is calm and shallow, making it excellent for families, kayaking, and paddleboarding. Even during busy summer weekends we’ve often found plenty of parking near the beach. In short: it’s a peaceful, appealing spot.
Why buy a house there?
We’ve talked about owning a vacation property or a small rental for years. Both of our families have experience with rental homes, and over time we grew more interested in having a place that would satisfy our renovation cravings while also being an investment and a place for family memories. Cape Charles has a growing number of renovated homes, new hospitality businesses, and a stronger market for short-term rentals, so it felt like the right moment to act before prices climbed higher.
We’d been looking at local rental options, but Cape Charles kept calling to us. On a recent trip we started working with a local realtor, and very quickly we shifted from casually looking to actively pursuing a property. It was thrilling and a little intimidating at the same time.
Why this house?
We toured a number of properties in varying conditions. Many were priced within our budget but were eliminated because of poor lot placement or proximity to undesirable features — things you can’t change. The house we bought was a pocket listing shown privately by our realtor. Priced at $125,000, it sat at the top of our range but offered advantages that made it a clear choice.
Location was the key. The home is three blocks from the beach, within easy walking distance of the main shops, and near the town’s central park. It sits on a charming, tree-lined street surrounded by other renovated period homes. Architecturally, it dates to around 1920 and shares its row with several near-identical houses, some of which have already been restored — giving us a real-life glimpse of what ours could become.
Despite the current neglect, the house has solid bones and authentic period details: porch columns, decorative brackets, stained glass windows, tall ceilings, an old clawfoot tub we plan to reglaze, an elegant stair railing, and original wood doors with vintage knobs and keyholes. There’s even a back staircase that some neighboring homes lack — a feature we’re excited to preserve. And, for the curious, we found some vintage Pepsi bottles tucked away from the 1990s.
How will we use it?
Our hope is to create a family tradition around this house — summers and occasional off-season visits that become part of our yearly rhythm. Growing up, family beach weeks were formative for me, and we’d like this place to be that special gathering spot for our children and guests. While we’ll keep going to our extended family’s longer-standing beach tradition, this closer retreat is meant to become our own Petersik summer destination.
We also plan to operate the house as a vacation rental when we’re not using it. Cape Charles has a healthy short-term rental market, and summer weeks can command strong rates. Renting will help offset upkeep and repairs while keeping the house active between our visits. We’re still figuring out the best rental strategy — direct bookings, vacation platforms, or local property managers — and will share what we learn as we go.
Will we DIY the renovation?
We’ll mix professional contractors with DIY work. Structural and safety-related systems — foundation, plumbing, electrical (much of which is knob-and-tube now), HVAC, and the roof — will be handled by experienced tradespeople. For finishes and interior installations we plan to participate heavily: cabinetry, tile, painting, fixtures, and decorating are all areas we enjoy and expect to tackle ourselves.
Some of the most crucial updates won’t result in dramatic visual before-and-after shots right away, but they’re necessary. Once those elements are secured, we’ll share proposed layout plans, diagrams, and the creative decisions that guide the remodel. We’re eager to reveal how we adapt the existing footprint and preserve the home’s historic character while making it comfortable and functional for modern use.
We’ll keep documenting the process and the lessons we learn along the way. For now, we’re enjoying imagining the possibilities and getting started on the vital fixes that will make that vision a reality.
