Invest in our history not destroy it

The other day I got a call from an investor who says he is purchasing a 1930's house and thinking of doing some "improvements" would I mind stopping by and giving my resale opinion.

Well any one who knows me knows seeing old houses is one my favorite things to do. So I pop on over to this adorable cape code style home, that yes she has not had the best owners in the world but over all this beauty is standing proud. I ask the owner for just a few minutes to get the lay of the land and then we can talk about the improvements.

As I walk through this house I can see great crown molding, and hard floors that with a little sanding can be restored to the natural beauty. Along with hexagonal tiles in the bathroom and built ins all over the bathroom and rest of the house. I think wow she is going to be adorable with just a little polish and new paint. Easy flip.

By the way just in case you haven't noticed I tend to call houses "hers". Just my little thing..

So now beginnings the list of improvements... starting in the bathroom. Gut it and put in a stand up shower along with a new tub, granite his and her sinks to replace the original pedestal sink.

I literally had to grab a hold of a built in cabinet to stay standing. The owner looked a little shocked when my head started to spin around. Screaming WHY!!

OK so it wasn't that bad.. but I quickly gave my opinion. Don't change a thing. Clean her up and put back the glass antique knobs to her built in cabinets.

No matter what you do to the inside of an old house it is still going to appeal to a certain number of people. Old houses come in Old Neighborhoods. You can dress her up in granite counters and new floors but her old neighborhood is going to be the same. I am not saying that an old house can't look right with granite. It is just that you need to remember to keep the granite simple let her lines show through. Don't fight the oldness embrace it. Everyone is worried that by making the old work, they are limiting their resale market. When in the end you are actually saving the resale of the home. Yes only a certain number of people are going to buy an old house but that is true with or with out recessed lighting.

In the end I won.. The owner is busily replacing the antique knobs and sanding the floors. We compromised in the kitchen and they will be installing granite counters and new appliances along with a beautiful new made to look old farm house sink. Unfortunately that is where the last homeowner had made their "improvements".

what makes a house a home?

So have you ever wondered why people want to buy an old house?

I do sometimes...

I think people buy old houses because of the feeling that you get when you own a piece of history. The architecture shows great pride of craftsmanship. To know that in between the paint and the plaster these walls hold secrets that they will never tell. Yes sometimes she will give you hints but that is all you get.

Mostly I think people buy old houses because of the neighborhood. In real estate it is always about location, location, location. So what makes an older neighborhood more appealing then a new, to some? Think about it people spend tons of time and money to own an old house. Working day and night on the old fixtures and plumbing... for what.

Why do the "woodstreet" houses command more money per square foot than larger, newer houses? The neighborhood!! The people that live or want to live in this hood know that if you get involved in neighborhood you can demand more money for the cracking plaster and the fact that you can't run any 3 appliances at the same time.

So what's the moral of the story. If you get involved in your area you too can have the luxury of asking more for your house. Not that you will ever want to move because your neighborhood will soon be the best in town, but hey we all have to move sometime. You can keep it simple at first, attend a local neighborhood group or watch. Take a walk around your neighborhood, pick up trash even if you didn't put it there (something I am still desperately trying to teach my children) say hello to your neighbors. exchange emails if you are not the talkative type. You don't have to know everything about your neighbors. Just remember what it was like when you were growing up, you knew which houses had the friendly dog and which one your parents had standing plans to play cards at. Give it a shot. Let me know how it turns out

moderism vs 50's ranch

So I guess this makes 3rd in a series of house styles. We have made it to the 50's.

The first thing to remember about a 50's style house is what the world was going through, a ton of changes. Families were going through great changes. We were letting go of the multi generation families. We were embracing thoughts that not everything had to straight and narrow but could defy gravity. Hence the style and architecture of a 50's mod.

A 50's mod is a very distinctive style of house. They can be a work of art all their own. Sometimes with 1 cement block wall that runs the full length of the front of the house. To built in furniture. Right along with amazing windows framing views. Some homes can look like they are floating amongst the hills. While some can seem to be made completely out of glass.

Now a ranch style house. From the outside of the house they look very long. They tend to be 1 story. The garage is usually part of this long look to make you think this house is actually longer that it is. Ranch style homes usually are simple in nature. No big stand out piece of architecture in the inside. Mostly its all about the outside of the home.

Now that we have discussed the difference the thing to remember about a 50's style home, is that they were built for entertaining or not. They could hold large families with ad-ons every where or fit the smallest family. All 50's have this in common. There floor plan, from a bird's eye view would tend to be in a circle. They are easily molded into whatever you need them to be. Modern or old. Show pieces for art work or a simple beauty all their own.

Which style of home fits you better? Heavy wood work like in a Craftsmen, cute with tons of light like a cottage, Fussy and elegant like in a Queen Anne, Formal with comfortable details like a Victorian, a real art piece like a 50's mod, or a long simple ranch?

Italianate vs Spanish

So to continue the discussion of style of homes I decided to discuss the difference between Italianate and Spanish

An Italianate style house, you automatically picture Italy don't you. We in Riverside don't have many, in fact I only know of 1. Tall, simple lines, yet elegant. Flat roofs

Compared to a Spanish style. Tile roofs with flowing lines. Front doors are usually think wood doors with iron work.

This of course is the simple version and of course just my opinion There are so much more to all styles of houses, and so much more that makes up a home than a style. The way each of the houses function as a home make them glow with a character all their own. Embrace the style of house that you own and enhance it with yours.

Victorian vs Queen Ann

So lets continue comparing styles of houses. Since I got a question asked about Queen Ann and a Victorian (thanks Maureen) I will address that. Even though this is going to be up for debate. In real estate most people that ask me for a Queen Ann style houses, they are talking about the victorian style that has the copula or round dome shaped peak that are on roof tops. A victorian style house in real estate world has the tall peaks.

In the true definition of what the difference is a Queen Ann is a time period of Victorian style house. The furniture and decoration is what makes it a true Queen Ann, but they all fall into the Victorian style of architecture.

Riverside has some beautiful examples of these houses. In fact 1 of them is a museum. If you haven't had a chance to go by and visit it, you really should. It is our wonderful Heritage House on Magnolia. That house has such great detail and style not to mention, a history all us women should be proud of. Mrs Bettner designed the entire house during a time when women didn't own property. She was a widow when she started the planning of the home. The house never had a male presence in it. She ran the house along with an orange grove.

Cottage vs Craftsman

So recently I was asked what is the difference between a craftsman and a cottage home. So here you go.

A Craftsman house is dark by nature. The homes where built to show off the workmanship of the trade. They are usually very heavy in wood work. Not fancy but full of character. Usually with beams across the ceilings, and built ins.

A Cottage house tend to not have as much wood work. Less built ins. More character in the building of the house instead of the decorating. Such as a barrel ceiling. Usually has a good amount of natural light.

I hope that cleared a few things up.

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Went to the MANA (Magnolia Area Neighborhood Alliance) meeting tonight. Lots of great info on what's happening around my neighborhood. Any one at there wanting to know what is happening please feel free to join us. Meetings happen every 2nd Wednesday of the month 7pm. 

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