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".