Located in historic Laurel, this three level fenced-in property is a rare find. Built in 1860, the house is a unique mix of extensive renovations and additions, plus original features that are still useful.

One such old-style feature is the pit in the red tin, overly generous four-car garage. One of the cars can drive in at ground level and be resting above an in-ground pit — accessed by cement steps leading down — so mechanical work or oil changes can easily be done.

Another unusual feature is the staircase inside the home. It has been doubled from the narrow original staircase to one so wide that three or four people could easily walk up side-by-side.

Other fully functioning items dating back more than a century are the gray slate tile flooring in the foyer, the plaster walls leading to the unfinished and perfect-for-storage basement and the original outhouse in the backyard, which now is a storage shed.

The interior is very modern, though, with walls in contemporary colors of blues and grays; an added-on large family room with windows on three walls and a corner office; cozy living and dining rooms; and a big kitchen with a white and gray ceramic tile floor, bisque-colored counters and cabinets, a spacious pantry converted from a double-door closet and a Sub-Zero refrigerator.

Upstairs are two sizeable bedrooms and the master suite. One bedroom has dark blue carpet, a wall constructed with a built-in chest of drawers and two closets with two drawers below them. The other has a border with sports equipment designs near the ceiling, lots of shelves on the walls and a walk-in closet.

In the hall are a laundry closet and a bathroom with hardwood floors and windows to the front yard.

The master bedroom is roomy with light blue walls, an original built-in window seat with cabinet-like storage space below and mirrored double-door closets.

The master bath has dark blue ceramic tile on the floor and iridescent blue micro-ceramic tile surrounding the whirlpool tub and adjacent walls. In addition to jets, the tub also allows water to shoot from the above shower head and six wall spray nozzles.

The huge backyard comes already complete with an above-ground circular swimming pool; kids' play area with swings, a playhouse and climbing wall; and a metal storage shed and a storage house.

There's also a peaceful, relaxing front porch with a ceiling, railing all around and an arched entryway.

Specialties of the house

Address: 36 Avondale St., Laurel

Price: $419,998

Year built: 1860

Square feet: About 2,600

Lot size: 0.34 acres

Taxes: $7,469

Bedrooms: 3

Bathrooms: 2.5

Contact: Janice Coffey, Long & Foster Real Estate, Inc., 301-237-5522

*List price for homes may be subject to change.