Comments on: If You Bought A Home Today Would You Go For An Historical Cleveland Home or Newer Construction?

By: Carole Cohen

Carole Cohen — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 16:10:50 +0000

Thanks for sharing, Lou. I think I have some of my most ‘Ah ha!’ moments in homes that have creatively combined the old with the new – your home would have done that to me too, I can tell lol.

By: lou

lou — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 02:36:17 +0000

When we moved into our home 4 years ago, my wife said, I never owned a house so old.” My reply was, “I never owned a house so new.” It was built in 1940. Putting on an addition that had high quality workmanship, with the exterior matching the original construction, we were able to add some modern amenities, mater bedroom with vaulted ceilings, walk in closet, true master bath and second floor laundry. A great match with the numerous built ins, quality hardwood floors, casement windows, and a great brick façade. So at times, you ca have the best of both worlds (not that it needs any less work).

By: Carole Cohen

Carole Cohen — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:00:17 +0000

I'm hearing a lot of love in both of your voices. QuakerLady, depending on your builder, if you live in a new construction complex sometimes you only have a five year window of opportunity before things start needing more than normal maintenance. But for sure newer is a different beast! QuakerLady your house sounds so beautiful. Thanks for the comments! Carole Cohens last blog post..Good Ideas For Small Spaces

By: lilatovcocktail

lilatovcocktail — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 17:16:00 +0000

QuakerLady, you're so right. It has to be a labor of love. I felt a lot differently before I had kids who also needed constant work, upkeep. I did think, though, that by the time I'd lived in it 15 years, my house would not need me to constantly care for it. I guess that is no more true for houses than it is for children. lilatovcocktails last blog post..Arresting journalists as well as protestors at the RNC?

By: QuakerLady

QuakerLady — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:21:53 +0000

Hello,
I own an 1844 Quaker farmouse in Columbiana County, Ohio. It is constant work, and upkeep. We’ve been restoring it for 10 years, and it seems the work is never done, but I love every square foot of it. Restoration and history have become my passion. Old house people are a special breed, and the expression “labor of love” hits the nail on the head (so to speak).

By: Carole Cohen

Carole Cohen — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:55:38 +0000

Hi LilaTovCocktail, you speak from experience, owning one of these homes! I agree with what you said about the historic homes holding their value.

I know many of my buyer clients say they don’t want the perceived (and real!) upkeep of an older home. And if it’s designated historical, many of the repairs and updates have to meet special criterion.

Your house sounds beautiful, not to mention the location being exquisite in itself! I truly appreciate your insight thank you!

By: lilatovcocktail

lilatovcocktail — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 17:48:28 +0000

I ask myself this question every day.

I live in a 1916 home on East Blvd. in the historic Cultural Gardens area.

Like most old homes, ours is a money pit. It’s not as bad as some homes I know of in Cleveland Hts. & Shaker, where the basement floods every year and it cost $40,000 to replace a roof.

But the maintenance is constant — except in the kitchen, which we gutted and remodeled 15 years ago. I always find myself wondering if I lived in whole house that had been built just 15 years ago, would the whole house be just as trouble free (not to mention easy to clean) as the kitchen?

I know, there are wonderful aspects to house you would never find in a new home — like the high quality hardwood floors, the 18″ thick brick foundation, and the huge old trees.

I would think that a home designated as historic would be more stable in value — but I have no idea. They’re a lot of work to live in.

That said, I wouldn’t move to a McMansion in Orange in you paid me.

LilaTovCocktail

lilatovcocktails last blog post..Arresting journalists as well as protestors at the RNC?