Essential Tips for Purchasing a VINTAGE Home!

Turn-of-the-century architecture,  20th century rather than 21st that is, is often sought after by the nostalgic home buyer. Vintage homes, circa 1900, were often designed and constructed with unique rooms, window sizes, dormers, front & back porches, nooks & crannies, cedar closets and hand crafted woodwork. Finding an affordable vintage home to purchase that  is rich with authentic details intact can be challenge. Sometimes homes fall into disrepair and many larger homes have been re-imagined into multi-family homes and duplexes over the decades. Sometimes the search for an affordable historic home can take the home buyer across the Twin Cities metro area from Summit Avenue in St Paul to homes along the up on the hill in Stillwater. Vintage homes are sprinkled throughout  quaint neighborhoods in North St. Paul, White Bear Lake and Chisago too. Surprisingly you can find vintage homes in every style and price point throughout the north and east Twin Cities Metro. Whether you seek a lovely old duplex, traditional two story or highly sought after mansion (the original executive home), there are some key considerations in purchasing a vintage home.

Updated with Style—Not current style but did the updates reflect the style of the era when the vintage home was originally constructed. If the updates to the home do not blend well with original home, the value of the home can be compromised.

Upgraded Plumbing and Electrical—If the furnace resembles and octopus and you need fuses for the electrical panel, there will be major updates required to the home at some time in the future.

Charming Windows—Decorative leaded glass and stained glass windows are beautiful. Many vintage homes will not only have beautiful window details but often there will be odd sized windows too. While this adds to the charm, it costs to have custom windows replaced.

Odd Sized Doors—Just like with the windows, often doors are not a standard size. This can lead to additional expense when repairing and/or replacing a door as it will have to be cut to measure.

A Good Foundation—When homes were constructed a century ago, there wasn’t a building code or city inspector. Often a corner of a home would be a “root” cellar without a foundation wall or floor. Sometimes the builder would just skim a thin layer of cement over the wall to make it look nice rather than use cement blocks. Though they have stood for decades, walls can deteriorate over time.

Garages and Sheds—Very few families owned cars or the lawn equipment we require today so when vintage houses were constructed there often weren’t garages. Look closely at any older detached garage as many can be unstable. Finding a vintage home with a large detached garage is a true find! But be advised many attached garages on older homes were probably added on during a remodel. If this is the case, make certain it fits well with the existing structure of the home.

Closets—Homes in the early 1900’s were insured by the number of doors so bedrooms were often constructed without closets. Some closets or dressers were added later under the eaves in the upstairs of a home. Because people did not have the extensive wardrobes that we have today, closets were much smaller than what is expected today.

Original Hardwood—Properly refinished and maintained, vintage hardwood can be a one of the most beautiful features of the home. How do you check to see if the flooring is hardwood ? If the home has carpeting, look at the floor inside a closet or at the edge of the floor under a vent for clues as to what the flooring is like below.

Fireplaces and Chimneys—While beautiful and a focal point, be certain to have any original brick or stone fireplace inspected by a professional chimney expert prior to purchase. Over time bricks can loosen and linings crack which can be costly to repair.

This list is not all inclusive but a starting point of things to consider when searching for a vintage house to call home. The charm of a historical home is that it was handcrafted to be full of charm and not necessarily perfectly constructed.

NEED HELP FINDING A VINTAGE HOME IN YOUR BUDGET? If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of BOARDMAN Realty, a call or visit my website for a FREE Home Buyer Success Guide or FREE Home Value Report. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.
 
Copyright 2015 www.terieckholm.com

10 Homebuying Tips when Looking at Vintage Homes

There is nothing that compares to the architecture of a historic home. A turn of the century home often was designed and constructed with unique rooms, window sizes, dormers, front porches, attics, stone fireplaces and hand crafted woodwork are sought after by many. Finding an affordable vintage home to purchase that  has been properly maintained with authentic details intact can be challenge. Sometimes the search can take a home buyer across the Twin Cities metro area from Summit Avenue in St Paul to homes along the St Croix in Stillwater to quaint neighborhoods in North St. Paul and Chisago.

Surprisingly you can find vintage homes in every style and price point throughout the north and east Twin Cities Metro. Whether you seek a lovely old duplex, traditional two story or highly sought after mansion (the original executive home), there are some key considerations in purchasing a vintage home.

Updated with Style—Not current style but did the updates reflect the style of the era when the vintage home was originally constructed. If the updates to the home do not blend well with original home, the value of the home can be compromised.

Upgraded Plumbing and Electrical—If the furnace resembles and octopus and you need fuses for the electrical panel, there will be major updates required to the home at some time in the future.

Charming Windows—Decorative leaded glass and stained glass windows are beautiful. Many vintage homes will not only have beautiful window details but often there will be odd sized windows too. While this adds to the charm, it costs to have custom windows replaced.

Odd Sized Doors—Just like with the windows, often doors are not a standard size. This can lead to additional expense when repairing and/or replacing a door as it will have to be cut to measure.

A Good Foundation—When homes were constructed a century ago, there wasn’t a building code or city inspector. Often a corner of a home would be a “root” cellar without a foundation wall or floor. Sometimes the builder would just skim a thin layer of cement over the wall to make it look nice rather than use cement blocks. Though they have stood for decades, walls can deteriorate over time.

 
Garages and Sheds—Very few families owned cars or the lawn equipment we require today so when vintage houses were constructed there often weren’t garages. Look closely at any older detached garage as many can be unstable. Finding a vintage home with an attached garage means it was probably added on as a remodel. If this is the case, make certain it fits well with the existing structure of the home.

Closets—Homes in the early 1900’s were insured by the number of doors so bedrooms were often constructed without closets. Some closets or dressers were added later under the eaves in the upstairs of a home. Because people did not have the extensive wardrobes that we have today, closets were much smaller than what is expected today.

Original Hardwood—Properly refinished and maintained, vintage hardwood can be a one of the most beautiful features of the home. How do you check to see if the flooring is hardwood ? If the home has carpeting, look at the floor inside a closet or at the edge of the floor under a vent for clues as to what the flooring is like below.

Fireplaces and Chimneys—While beautiful and a focal point, be certain to have any original brick or stone fireplace inspected by a professional chimney expert prior to purchase. Over time bricks can loosen and linings crack which can be costly to repair.

This list is not all inclusive but a starting point of things to consider when searching for a vintage house to call home. The charm of a historical home is that it was handcrafted to be full of charm and not necessarily perfectly constructed.

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

Ten Tips to Consider When Buying a Minnesota Vintage Home

Vintage homes are very prevalent throughout the Minneapolis and St Paul metro area. Whether in a big city or small community, there are many homes that come on the market that were built at the turn of the century...20th Century that is. To own a piece of history can be a powerful draw to home buyers. Some like the history and some fall in love with the unique rooms, window sizes, dormers, front porches, attics, stone fireplaces and hand crafted woodwork. Finding an affordable vintage home that has been properly maintained and updated can be challenge. Sometimes the search can take a home buyer across the Twin Cities metro area from MacGroveland or Highland areas in St. Paul to homes along the St. Croix River in Stillwater to quaint neighborhoods in North St. Paul. And there are acreage properties with classic farm and vintage barns scattered throughout Anoka and Washington county too.

There are historic homes in every style and price point in the north and east Twin Cities Metro. Whether you seek a lovely old duplex, traditional two story or grand Victorian mansion (the original executive home), there are some key considerations in purchasing a vintage home.

1. Updated with Style—Not current style but did the updates reflect the style of the era when the vintage home was originally constructed. If the updates to the home do not blend well with original home, the value of the home can be compromised.
2. Upgraded Plumbing and Electrical—If the furnace resembles and octopus and you need fuses for the electrical panel, there will be major updates required to the home at some time in the future. 
3. Charming Windows—Decorative leaded glass and stained glass windows are beautiful. Many vintage homes will not only have beautiful window details but often there will be odd sized windows too. While this adds to the charm, it costs to have custom windows replaced. 
4. Odd Sized Doors—Just like with the windows, often doors are not a standard size. This can lead to additional expense when repairing and/or replacing a door as it will have to be cut to measure. 
5. Mouldings & Trim—Beautiful woodwork can be one of the attractions of a vintage home but like other features, mouldings, columns and wood trims were often custom. These can be irreplaceable if damaged. Yes, almost anything can be replaced but the cost would be astronomical to have replaced with the same quality of hand workmanship.
6. A Good Foundation—When homes were constructed a century ago, there wasn’t a building code or city inspector. Often a corner of a home would be a “root” cellar without a foundation wall or floor. Sometimes the builder would just skim a thin layer of cement over the wall to make it look nice rather than use cement blocks. Though they have stood fordecades, walls can deteriorate over time. 
7. Garages and Sheds—Very few families owned cars or the lawn equipment we require today so when vintage houses were constructed there often weren’t garages. Look closely at any older detached garage as many can be unstable. Finding a vintage home with an attached garage means it was probably added on as a remodel. If this is the case, make certain it fits well with the existing structure of the home. 
8. Closets—Homes in the early 1900’s were insured by the number of doors so bedrooms were often constructed without closets. Some closets or dressers were added later under the eaves in the upstairs of a home. Because people did not have the extensive wardrobes that we have today, closets were much smaller than what is expected today. 
9. Original Hardwood Flooring—Properly refinished and maintained, vintage hardwood can be extremely beautiful and a top feature of the home. If the home has carpeting, what is the best way to check to see if the flooring underneath is hardwood ? Start by opening a closet or check the edge of the floor under a vent for clues as to what might be underneath.
10. Fireplaces and Chimneys—While beautiful and a focal point, be certain to have any original brick or stone fireplace inspected by a professional chimney expert prior to purchase. Over time bricks can loosen and linings crack which can be costly to repair.

This list is not all inclusive but a starting point of things to consider when searching for a vintage house to call home. The charm of a historical home is that it was crafted by hand and not necessarily perfectly constructed.

 
Copyright 2014 www.terieckholm.com

5 Features of Vintage Homes that Buyers Love!

Age of a home is often a big deal for buyers. Yet not all home buyers want a “brand new” house. In fact, many home buyers seek out vintage homes for features that are too expensive to install in new construction today. Any home built in pre-1960 could possibly fit the bill...even smaller "affordable" homes will have unique details that give the home character.

Top 5 Features of Vintage Homes

Hardwood Floors—Of course new homes can have hardwood floors too but vintage hardwood is usually a smaller board with a very distinctive look to it. It really has character that you cannot find in the recently installed wood floors of today.

Coved ceilings and Plaster Walls —Beautifully rounded corners of a coved ceiling were used in the formal rooms to show elegance. Often these corners were paired with decoratively, swirled ceilings. Similarly, most walls in homes built in the 1960’s and earlier were plaster. This type of wall has a texture and is much more attractive than plain sheetrock.  This type of hand craftsmanship is has become too expensive to build into homes.  

Leaded Windows—Many of these windows will have colorful stainglass type inserts which give a home style inside and out.

Built-ins—Buffets, pillars, cabinets and other architectural details were common in many older homes. Often ornate and expertly crafted a built in cabinet can add to the appeal of a vintage home, especially if well maintained.

Crafted Wood Doors and Mouldings—Often the wood work in an historic home is of significantly better quality than in a comparably priced new home. Solid wood paneled doors were common in the construction of homes pre-1960. And mouldings were larger and thicker than what is used on a home today.

Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota.   

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com