For the Love of Old Homes

I know it’s been a while. I have been really focusing, during this slower time of the real estate season, on what I want to focus on in my career as a Realtor. I’ve been thinking, what do I want my expertise to be in? After holding an open house for my managing broker in a home that was built in the early 1900’s and had beautiful windows, staircase, woodwork, and details, it dawned on me. Old homes. Homes built in the 1800’s and 1900’s. Homes that need to be brought back to life.

So I may be biased due to where I was raised and the experiences of the home my parents created with the bones of the past. Old homes have a history, a story, and have been loved by so many people. Some homes get flipped and lose the story that was created by the ones that put blood, sweat, and tears into it, while some keep the unbelievable life that can’t be found in today’s modern homes. Yes, while some are so worn and lost, they may need the complete remodel. Others need their amazing details to be preserved. So many people walk into these old homes that are on the market and think that they need to put so much money into them, but that’s not always the case. Modern homes are the craze and while they are beautiful, the modern look is not always for the homes that have been standing for generations.

The home that I grew up in had amazing woodwork which my dad kept through the updates that he did in the home. My mom brought ideas to him that kept the history of the home and he made them happen. Some of the woodwork needed to be replaced, so he did what he could to bring it back to life and look like the original. While some updates were needed, such as the kitchen and bathrooms, because let’s be honest, the old days do not match up to today’s needs, but they kept the flow of history in the home. Over the years, they spent a lot of money to bring it back to life, they took their time and didn’t take away the characteristics that the past took so long to create, while adding their own touches to incorporate our story, our family. The wood that my grandfather cut before his passing, became our stairway. Every time we walked up our stairs to go to our bedrooms, we were able to remember him. Now, another family is able to enjoy the love put into our old home.

If you are looking to purchase an old home, please take time to embrace what is in the home. Bring it back to life. With your own touches, you can continue the story that has already begun. If you are looking for someone that has the passion and love that these homes bring, please let me help you. I’d love to help keep these homes alive and continue to admire the hard work from the past.

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