Is Buying a Historic Home Right for You? —————————————————————— Real Estate News from Around the Internet for Discussion…

Is Buying a Historic Home Right for You?
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Real estate news from around the internet for discussion – English version
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Some home buyers want new, modern and move-in ready. Others

prefer older homes, with character and charm they can’t find in

new construction. If you’re interested in historic homes, take

these factors into consideration as you shop.

Historic neighborhoods often impose restrictions

Many towns throughout the U.S. have zoning and planning

commissions that, among other things, set out to preserve and

protect historic homes and neighborhoods.

As a result, renovating and altering a historic home –

particularly the building’s facade – will require a separate

layer of approval and sometimes bureaucracy. If you buy a

100-year-old home, you may not be able to renovate it the way you

want, and that is a serious consideration.

Some landmark or historic districts retain an immense amount of

control. As a result, renovations and planning can take longer and

cost more. If you’re purchasing a historic home with intentions

to renovate, you should consult both an architect and town

officials.

Recreating architecture from the past can be challenging – and

expensive

Let’s consider the example of Victorian-era

homes . Contractors and home builders constructed Victorian

homes through the mid to late 19th century, often with materials

that are no longer in use today.

If you buy a home in less-than-perfect condition, finding the

wainscoting, picture rails, crown moldings, and richly decorative

and ornate features common in Victorian architecture can be tricky.

Architectural salvage companies can track down these materials,

but there’s often a steep cost attached.

Repair and maintenance needs could be extensive

Most buyers want move-in ready homes because they don’t have the

time, money or energy to embark on a renovation project. These

buyers also don’t want to be burdened with systems going out or

having to live with older or outdated technology. For them, it’s a

quality of life issue.

If you want a historic home, you need to have a maintenance

strategy in mind. Unless you plan to do major renovations or

updates (subject to any landmark or historic area regulations), you

have to be ready to address issues that arise. Broken systems,

leaks or flaws mean time and money.

For history buffs, no amount of time commitment or money will

stand between them and a one-of-a-kind home. That person

appreciates the architecture and knows that intensive maintenance

is par for the course. If you don’t share that appreciation, a

historic home is not right for you.

Related :

This

Historic Connecticut Home Once Hosted a Dancing George

Washington

Living Legacy: Making a Family Home in a Historic Mansion

1800s

Estate Proves History Is Anything But Drab

Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those

of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or

position of Zillow.

Originally published February 2015.

Is Buying a Historic Home Right for You?

Hold on there, architecture aficionado! Consider these factors before making history your home.

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