Tucked away in a serene section of Gloucester County is a magnificent colonial estate overlooking the Piankatank River. The riverfront property spans 5.5 acres and features deepwater access and sunset views.
“We thought it was just gorgeous,” recalled Fran Shaffer-Cofer. “It was secluded, and was everything we were looking for at the time.”
Purchased in 2004, the estate was meant to be getaway for the Cofers, a “respite” from their busy lives in Maryland where they lived and worked, and eventually their retirement home. And it was for a little while.
Life, however, is never predictable. A few years after purchasing the property, Fran’s husband, Ken, passed away from an illness. While it’s difficult for her to talk about, Fran recalled how they enjoyed not only the many amenities the home offered them but also the process of improving the house together.
“We did a lot to the house,” she said. That included adding a four-car detached garage, an RV and boat hangar and extensive landscaping, among many others. Ken even hauled in a bunch of dirt himself to restore some shoreline erosion from a hurricane years ago.
The estate has been tended to over the years and is perfect for people who like to “play” said realtor Kathleen McKone.
In fact, the 4,600-square-foot home features a 2,400-square-foot, four-car detached garage, RV and boat storage and a pier. There’s plenty of room to store a yacht, boat and jet skis. If you have guests or need an in-law suite, there’s 1,800 square-foot guest house on the property as well.
