Mountain-View Cottage on 10.86 Acres with a Red Barn in Salem, Virginia — $299,950
Property Overview
Discover a peaceful country retreat on Poor Mountain in Salem, Virginia, where mountain views, wooded acreage, and the charm of a classic cottage come together. Set on approximately 10.86 acres, this single-family property offers 1,296 square feet of living space, original hardwood floors, a gas fireplace, and inviting outdoor spaces overlooking the natural surroundings.
The setting provides room to explore a variety of possibilities, from enjoying a quieter full-time residence to creating a weekend escape or pursuing a small homestead lifestyle. A large red barn, an older chicken coop, and a level grassy area add versatility to the land, while a creek marks the lower property boundary according to the attached survey.
Interior Features & Cottage Character
The cottage combines a traditional layout with rustic details and practical everyday spaces. Original hardwood floors bring character to the interior, complemented by luxury vinyl plank flooring in other areas. Custom-built solid wood kitchen cabinets give the eat-in kitchen a distinctive, handcrafted feel.
The living room features a gas-log fireplace, creating a welcoming focal point for cooler evenings. Bookcases, ceiling fans, storage, and a walk-in closet provide additional functional features throughout the home.
Both bedrooms and the full bathroom are on the entry level, and the home also includes a laundry area and sunroom. The one-and-a-half-story design offers a cottage-style layout within approximately 1,296 square feet of total interior living area.
Interior Highlights
- Two bedrooms and one full bathroom
- Original hardwood flooring and luxury vinyl plank
- Custom-built solid wood kitchen cabinets
- Eat-in kitchen
- Living room with gas-log fireplace
- Sunroom and laundry area
- Bookcases, ceiling fans, storage, and walk-in closet
- Forced-air gas heating and central air conditioning
- Crawl-space foundation
Outdoor Living & Mountain Scenery
Outdoor spaces are an important part of the property’s appeal. A screened porch looks out toward the wooded scenery behind the home, offering a sheltered place to enjoy the surroundings. An expansive front deck provides additional space for outdoor relaxation and taking in the mountain views and changing seasons.
The 10.86-acre parcel includes wooded land and a level grassy area that could be considered for gardening, outdoor gatherings, or potential small-animal pasture use, subject to applicable requirements and site conditions. The property also features a large red barn and an older chicken coop that may offer possibilities for future restoration or reuse.
A creek is located along the property’s lower boundary according to the attached survey. Buyers interested in the precise extent of the land, creek frontage, access, or usable acreage should review the survey and verify the relevant property boundaries.
Outdoor Property Highlights
- Approximately 10.86 acres of wooded land
- Mountain views
- Front deck and screened rear porch
- Large red barn
- Older chicken coop
- Level grassy area with potential garden or pasture uses
- Creek along the surveyed property boundary
- Four uncovered off-street parking spaces
Mechanical Systems & Property Improvements
The home includes several additional systems and improvements. A Generac generator is installed to provide backup power for major home systems. An owned, buried 500-gallon propane tank conveys with the property.
The propane furnace is approximately five years old, and the crawl space was encapsulated by Orkin approximately 12 years ago. These details provide useful starting points for a buyer’s inspection and maintenance review.
Utilities & Systems
- Private well water
- Private septic system
- Propane furnace with forced-air heating
- Owned, buried 500-gallon propane tank
- Generac backup generator
- Central air conditioning
- Crawl space with reported encapsulation
Buyers should confirm the age, operating condition, maintenance history, and service requirements of the heating system, generator, propane tank, well, septic system, and crawl-space improvements during due diligence.
Location & Area Overview
Located on Poor Mountain Road in Salem, the property sits in a scenic part of the Roanoke Valley region of southwestern Virginia. The surrounding area combines wooded mountain landscapes and rural residential properties with access to the broader Salem and Roanoke communities.
Salem had an estimated population of 25,816 in 2025, reflecting a modest increase from the 2020 census population of 25,346. The city provides a regional center for shopping, employment, education, healthcare, recreation, and everyday services.
The property’s setting is particularly suited to buyers seeking acreage and a more rural environment while retaining access to established community amenities. The actual availability and convenience of individual services will depend on the route taken and the property’s specific location along Poor Mountain Road.
Safety & Crime Information
Crime statistics should be considered in their proper geographic context. Salem maintains annual crime-report records, including reports for 2024 and 2025. However, a reliable, directly comparable set of current crime rates specifically covering the immediate surroundings of 6437 Poor Mountain Road was not established for this listing.
Citywide figures, where available, should not be interpreted as a measure of conditions at this individual property or as a guarantee of personal safety. Buyers may wish to review the most recent local crime information and assess the specific area independently.
Schools & Education
The wider Salem and Roanoke County region offers public education options across elementary, middle, and high school levels, along with private and other educational opportunities in the surrounding area.
The property’s precise school division and school assignments should be confirmed directly using the property address. Nearby schools and schools assigned to a particular address are not necessarily the same, and assignments may differ by grade level or change over time.
Healthcare & Hospitals
Healthcare resources in the wider Salem and Roanoke area include hospitals, medical practices, outpatient services, and pharmacies.
- LewisGale Medical Center, Salem: A regional hospital providing hospital-based medical services.
- Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital, Roanoke: A major regional hospital serving the greater Roanoke Valley.
These facilities provide healthcare options within the broader region. Actual travel distance and time from the property depend on the selected route and current road conditions. Buyers should confirm the availability of specific specialties, urgent care, and emergency services directly when needed.
Historical Housing Market
Historical housing values provide context for the broader local market but do not predict the future value of an individual property. The following figures represent the annual Federal Housing Finance Agency all-transactions house price index for Salem city, Virginia, using the same index series throughout the period.
| Year | House Price Index | Annual Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 170.78 | Baseline |
| 2022 | 194.52 | +13.9% |
| 2023 | 214.74 | +10.4% |
| 2024 | 232.93 | +8.5% |
| 2025 | 240.30 | +3.2% |
The index uses 2000 as its base value of 100. It measures historical home-price movements across Salem city rather than the dollar value of a particular house. Annual changes are calculated from the displayed index values and rounded to one decimal place.
From 2021 to 2025, the index increased approximately 40.7%. The annual figures show that the pace of growth moderated in 2025 compared with the preceding years. These historical changes are descriptive only and do not establish the likely future performance of this cottage or its acreage.
Salem’s median value for owner-occupied housing units was $258,600 for the 2020–2024 period. This is a separate measure from the annual house price index and should not be treated as the current market value of this property.
Transportation & Regional Access
Salem and the surrounding Roanoke Valley are served by a regional road network that includes Interstate 81, U.S. Route 11, U.S. Route 460, and connecting state and local roads. These routes provide connections to neighboring communities, regional employment centers, shopping, and services.
Access from this rural mountain-road setting differs from access within central Salem. Buyers should drive the approach to the property, assess road conditions and visibility, and determine the routes that best serve their regular travel needs.
Regional transportation planning also includes proposed and ongoing highway improvements elsewhere in the wider Salem transportation district. Project schedules and construction details can change, and projects outside the immediate area should not be assumed to affect this property directly.
Shopping & Everyday Services
Everyday services are available in the wider Salem and Roanoke Valley area, including grocery shopping, pharmacies, fuel, banking, restaurants, hardware and home-improvement retailers, and other essential services.
Downtown Salem includes a traditional commercial district and a public farmers market that features seasonal local produce and other goods. Additional retail and service options are available throughout Salem and neighboring communities.
The property’s rural setting means buyers should evaluate actual routes to their preferred grocery stores, medical offices, fuel stations, and other frequently used services rather than relying on general city-level proximity.
Parks & Recreation
The surrounding region offers opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, river access, walking trails, equestrian activities, and public parkland.
Green Hill Park & Equestrian Center
Green Hill Park in Salem offers athletic fields, open lawn areas, picnic facilities, playground amenities, hiking trails, and fishing access along the Roanoke River. The park also includes a substantial equestrian center, making it a relevant recreational destination for those interested in horses and outdoor activities.
Roanoke River Greenway
The Roanoke River Greenway provides paved trail sections for walking, running, and cycling in parts of the Roanoke Valley. Trail access and available segments vary by location.
Other outdoor recreation opportunities are available throughout the surrounding mountain and valley region. Buyers should confirm current access conditions, operating schedules, and any applicable restrictions before visiting public recreation areas.
Utilities & Connectivity
The property has a private well and private septic system, along with propane heating and an owned buried propane tank. A Generac generator provides backup electrical power for major home systems.
Public water, sewer, electricity, and other utility services may be available in portions of the broader Salem area, but general regional availability does not establish service at this address. Broadband and cellular coverage can also vary considerably in rural and mountainous locations.
Buyers should verify internet service options, actual broadband speeds, cellular reception, electrical service arrangements, well-water quality, septic-system condition, and any applicable utility or maintenance requirements for the property itself.
Development & Planning
The property is identified as AG-3 zoned land. Buyers considering agricultural uses, livestock, outbuilding improvements, business activities, subdivision, or other changes should verify the current zoning requirements and permitted uses with the appropriate planning authority.
Regional road improvements and transportation projects are part of the wider planning environment around Salem and the Roanoke Valley. No specific proposed or approved development was reliably established as directly affecting this parcel for inclusion here.
Before making plans for additional construction, land clearing, animal keeping, or changes to existing structures, buyers should confirm zoning, building permits, access requirements, environmental constraints, and any applicable restrictions affecting the parcel.
Property Summary
| Property Type | Single-family residence |
|---|---|
| Architectural Style | Cottage |
| Street Address | 6437 Poor Mountain Road |
| City | Salem |
| State | Virginia |
| ZIP Code | 24153 |
| Bedrooms | 2 |
| Bathrooms | 1 full bathroom |
| Interior Living Area | 1,296 square feet |
| Lot Size | 10.86 acres |
| Year Built | 1949 |
| Parcel Number | 084.000203.000000 |
| Zoning | AG-3 |
| Exterior | Vinyl siding |
| Heating | Forced-air gas, propane furnace |
| Cooling | Central air conditioning and additional cooling |
| Water | Private well |
| Sewer | Private septic system |
| Backup Power | Generac generator |
| Fireplace | One gas-log fireplace in the living room |
| Parking | Four uncovered off-street spaces |
| Outdoor Features | Front deck, screened rear porch, wooded acreage, level grassy area |
| Additional Structures | Large red barn and older chicken coop |
| Water Feature | Creek along the property boundary, as indicated by the attached survey |
| Annual Property Tax | $1,873 |
| Assessed Value | $168,500 |
| Homeowners Association | No HOA reported |
View the Listing
Explore This Mountain Cottage
Take a closer look at the property details and available listing photographs to discover the possibilities offered by this cottage, its mountain views, and its 10.86 acres in Salem, Virginia.
View on Zillow — $299,950Photography and property presentation: Credit for listing photographs belongs to the original photographers and rights holders. Property descriptions and listing materials are presented for informational purposes. Prospective buyers should verify property dimensions, boundaries, features, zoning, utilities, taxes, and other material details during their due diligence.