It's NOT a money pit! And when it is.
What came first, the chicken or the egg? This is often the decision I am faced when someone digs only slightly below the surface of my professional life. My creative journey has taken many twists and turns and I sincerely value each and every one of them and credit this multifaceted array of influence for my success. I didn’t know exactly how each step would fit together with the next but I was obedient to the calling. My own personal rollercoaster as I transitioned from ‘renter’ to ‘homeowner’ as a twenty something art student was long, and full of disappointments and excitements. I never thought in a million years that my ‘house dating’ (complete with drama and break ups as one would expect from any dating life) would ever aid someone else’s journey. What I realize now, looking back, was that it in fact was the reason it had so many lessons. I now know first hand precisely what my clients are experiencing and I now, with the precision of a surgeon extract precisely what their next step should be.
The following are the three points that guided me through an ocean of possibilites. They helped carve out and define exactly what I was seeking and served a solid foundation when everything seemed uncertain. I urge you, especially if you are in the historical or period home market take a moment, jot them down and remind yourself of these every single time you open the front door and your heart cautiously whispers “I’m home?”
Location, location, location
Perhaps the most cliche mantra if there ever was one. I am sure that every realtor would agree that you can’t change a homes location (we all know this is a mere technicality and actually can be changed, however for our purposes today let’s assume that feat is a smudge too high). What I found the most difficult for buyers looking at older homes is that our love for this architecture is so intense we will often work incredible hard to make something work that isn’t. We will make excuses for neighbors, traffic, heck we’ll ‘not mind’ that it is raining through the roof! Keeping a reign on a nonnegotiable such as location will keep your feet on the ground. No matter how charming the foyer is or what magnificent nursery could be off the main bedroom, the fact is that you have to keep a part of your decision making in real life hard truths. Flexibility is necessary of course but be specific about your non-negotiables and stay true to them.
Condition
Depending on many factors (your budget, season of life, desire to repair and restore) the old house that you are seeking may look completely different. Finding a talented real estate agent (and one that can connect you with professionals in this arena) who will give it to you straight will make the difference between acquiring an investment and getting in over your head in a money pit. Not all realtors are created equal and if they aren’t versed in homes of a older era they may lead you down a path you don’t want. Big ticket items you need to consider are of course legal (liens, outstanding taxes, etc.), foundation issues (go down in the basement and really look at the walls - preferably after a good rain storm) and roof. Things that look scary but can be manageable - old windows (for the love of everything that is holy please keep these they are literal gold), electrical and plumbing, and HVAC (it is possible to live without central AC). Everything else is usually considered cosmetic and 1000% manageable with a little patience and elbow grease.
Determine what you are comfortable taking on before you select the house. Not the other way around.
Consider your Aesthetic
If I want a open concept with great big walls of glass I probably should stay clear of a Victorian, Center my search in mid century works of art and it will result in the greatest collaboration ever done. Proper design of older homes must begin with both parties acknowledging the other and working together to establish a harmony. Working against the tide will do more harm than good and more than likely cost more (if you don’t want walls everywhere don’t choose a house that has them… it really is that simple). It is important to appreciate your period home in its totality. The beautiful parts are easy, but appreciating the quirky parts that others may not understand, that is when true gratitude is found.
I hope these tidbits help you in your quest. When the tide is slow remember that with patience, a foot on the ground and another looking forward to the possibilities, will lead you home… always.