We bought a historic (1890's) home today :)

14 years ago

I want to note this date in history when I'm in love with our home (though we don't take posession until november) that we purchased a fabulous home and as I mentioned, I adore it.

No inspections, no apprisal, just a private contract, with final sale taking place in November, but still, we bought her :) I should say "him" because it was definately a "man's: home more than a woman.

So please, remind me when the walls start to crumble and the electric shudders and the plubming groans...that I love him will ya? :) Cuz today...we're so excited we can't think!~

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Comments (21)

lido
14 years ago
Congratulations! You are so very right - You will both love and hate him regularly from this day forward, but love will win out!

In what state is this new home located?
graywings123
14 years ago
Holy moly - no inspection? You're a brave woman! Congrats on the new man in your life - LOL!
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The minute we walked into this house, we knew it was the "project" house we'd been wanting. It is old enough to have charm and to need work, is well-built and well-maintained so it doesn't need massive structural work, and has not been updated for many decades (excepting some fixture replacements...not all...and a few things here/there...all perfectly acceptable!). A blacksmithing family built the house in the late 1800s--we have a photo dated 1890 in which the house figures prominently, so it was built at least by then--and five generations of the family subsequently lived there. The folks who sold it to us were doing so to settle the family estate. They are the last of the family line and live very far away, so they cannot live in the house themselves, but they wanted to ensure that the "right" buyers purchased it. Apparently it has been in limbo for some time and they have turned down flat several offers to buy the house/land because they feared the house would be torn down or unappreciated. My DH and I wrote a letter to accompany our purchase offer: he is a planner with an architectural background, and I recently graduated with my MAHP, so historic houses are just our thing. :) It's the funniest thing...when the realtor was showing it to us she was very apologetic about the kitchen/bathroom and how dated they are. To me, the kitchen is one of the best rooms in the house because it hasn't been gutted of any of its 1940s-50s charm. It's an addition that hasn't changed much since it was built, as far as we can tell. PERFECT! I had to tell the realtor after the closing how much her apologies had fallen on deaf ears. Every time we walk through the door I'm struck by how it feels like home. We have an electrical crew rewiring right now (fishing new wiring into the old K&T chases), but once they're done it'll be ready to move into. I can't wait. As we've explored the various trunks, dressers, hutches, etc. that are there we've found some fascinating family history as well as some great house history. I have shivers just writing about it. Of course, there are a few problems. At one point the upstairs bath (a closet with a toilet and the tiniest sink in the world) had a minor leak. We'll need to do some probing to ensure that there's no rot or fungal problem lurking. And, probably because of the moisture and heat, the kitchen plaster walls are not in the greatest of shape. However, the plaster in the other rooms is lovely, and from what I could see in the attic, at least the second-story ceilings are remarkably well keyed. Woohoo! The woodwork has not experienced the dozens of paint layers that frequently accompany old houses. There's no real wood rot, even on the exterior wood, that I can find. We'll need to strip off the steel siding to reveal the clapboard underneath, but that will wait until spring, after we've gotten a few other things taken care of. I know this is the longest post EVER, but I can't resist telling the story of this house to some folks who will appreciate it! Most of our friends/family seem to fall into the camp of "Are you nuts? You must be absolutely nuts!!"
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had painting contractor come to house today--about 10 am-- we went through the rooms he thought the master and the master bath were different color from the hall/main living area thought the upstairs bedroom was too but they aren't--friend and I went to Lowe's because it was close to get some samples after talking to him and talked to lady working the paint counter--she agreed that the light could make difference in rooms showed up some full spectrum lights and we bought two to see My husband went home to get table lamp to use in the rooms up close the paint in master is a tan but has a strong yellow tint to it--so it just shows yellow because of light value when we put our paint samples on the wall--they were too light--but they also did not have a yellow tint to them... one of the colors on a card was almost the same shade as the original wall color and it showed tan--not yellow so think we are going to use it might look for new bed linen and see what I can find to match color in it this is most frustrating thing I have been through don't want to have to repaint the entire house my DH bought some more full spectrum light bulbs and put in different rooms' ceiling fan lights and could tell a difference you can get compact flourescents that are full spectrum expensive but cheaper than painting the entire house I guess... still considering doing any too hard to shop for full spectrum paints in this area from what I see on-line there is maybe only one store here that carries Ellen Kennon and I doubt they have the paint samples-- can't wait to get them via mail and start picking colors..
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It is great to hear some good news. I'm crossing my fingers that both you and your neighbor have smooth sailing through the the closing. It is also nice to hear a good FSBO story. While I don't think it is for everybody, every market or every house, but it sure appears to have worked for you!
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We just closed on the FL house. We camped out in the house on blow up beds for 4 days. Now we are back in NY awaiting news of a closing on this house. Contracts are signed. Whew. I like the space in the FL kitchen. We bought a fridge, the same one as we have here in NY. Then we will get an induction stove and a new dishwasher and then stop and see how it goes. We might spray the cabinets a color, install pull outs and new knobs and get new counters. We can't do a whole new kitchen. The pantry is big so I am going to keep my dishes and pots and pans in one side of the pantry and food in the other. That will be easy access. No bending. No stretching. I would also like a new sink. This is a double and I prefer a large single. Thanks for all the encouragement. Incidentally. The realtor said that the rainforest green sold the house.
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sunnyca_gw
14 years ago
Congrates!! I went & see you will have "lots of help" Your little 1 will be 3 about time you move in!! Going to be a fun holiday! Take lots of pics. Hope you got a very good price because otherwise you may find serious problems! So sock away all you can to help with what comes up!! We moved into new home yrs ago with no kids(they came the following couple of yrs) & it was costly putting in lawn, landscaping, drapes, carpet etc. Your house will probably need repairs unless someone owned it that was perfect at restoring everything. What sold you on this house???? Possibilities, location, floor plan, etc. Just curious!! Nothing like your 1st home, enjoy every minute!!!
igloochic
Original Author
14 years ago
Heh heh grey we like to live on the edge.
The house is in a Victorian seaport in Washington. It has been almost completely restored and yes it was very meticulous. The lady who owns it now takes great pride in her stewardship of the house so we feel pretty good about what we are walking into

I grew up in a historic home so I know even great care equals work. There is some wallpaper to remove. Five missing fireplaces. Twelve bathrooms to upgrade. There is really no kitchen to speak of (it's a b&b). But still it's a dream. Did I mention the extensive gardens I will have to par down and the hidden wood floors to rediscover???? Just your standard Victorian heh heh.

It's kind of sureal. I'm sure people on this forum can undrstand that
Lots of joy mixed with fear lol.

Room by room I'm sure I'll be looking for advice. I can't wait to get started!
autumngal
14 years ago
Yay Igloo! I'm so happy for you- if it's the same one you were looking at earlier, it's beautiful. If it's not, I'm sure he's still drool-worthy. I think through the frustrations, you are always a little in love with your older home. Glad to hear that things are going well.
grlwprls
14 years ago
We bought an 1888 corner storefront about two months ago now; we "break ground" on renovations tomorrow after extensive research and redrawing of plans.

This is our second old house, but our first renovation of one.

Enjoy the journey!
sombreuil_mongrel
14 years ago
Congrats igloochick; after your earlier disappointment I'm glad this one is in the bag. Call me when you start hiring ;-)
Casey
igloochic
Original Author
14 years ago
LOL Casey you're hired :) This one is a darling home but it does have it's bathroom woes. I expect that I'll be searching out tiles soon. The fireplaces are Minton tiles so I've been dibbling a bit in Minton...OUCH heh heh I see a lot of white marble and ceramics in my future instead.
eandhl
14 years ago
How exciting, I am happy for you.
sombreuil_mongrel
14 years ago
If I saved up, I could someday afford one Minton tile, and get it framed. Or put it in safe deposit. uber$$$
Casey
lsst
14 years ago
Any photos? I would love to see it!
igloochic
Original Author
14 years ago
I will post as soon as we've signed the final papers. I don't want to jinx the deal LOL We're already freaked out with stress about what we have to do when we move in LOL Perfect way to begin ownership huh?

We also stalk it...last night we wandered around it several times in the dark (from across the street...we're not that bad) just cuz we liked how it looked all lit up heh heh
zeebee
14 years ago
Congratulations! Our old house from the same era is putting us through our paces during an ongoing renovation, but we still love her. Sounds like you've undertaken a real labor of love - pics when you're comfortable posting them please!!!
eandhl
14 years ago
I hate to hurry my favorite time of the year, Fall, but I can't wait for Nov to see pictures.
worthy
14 years ago
Hmmm. A Port Townsend former bed and bath, by chance?

Enjoy!

My father went to universities with buildings 500 years old. He was always amused by what we call "old" in the New World.
igloochic
Original Author
14 years ago
LOL No comment worthy heh heh

My read dream home is a building my mom just described as "european wrecks" a stone building from the 1600's :) I have to settle for this new old house heh heh
brickeyee
14 years ago
"Holy moly - no inspection?"

The number of inspectors who know anything about old construction is vanishingly small.

I met one that had never seen full size dimension lumber (real 2x10s and 2x4 studs). He could not understand why all the repairs had faced the studs with 1/2 inch plywood to create a 4 inch (net) stud.

Another one did not like the fact that a 150 years old house did not use joist hangers.

Good luck.

Go after the envelope first, then plumbing and wiring since upgrades and repairs to these have the greatest chance of damaging finished surfaces.
igloochic
Original Author
14 years ago
Brick your points are why we aren't worried about the inspection. I've been in mortgage lending for years and frankly could probably inspect a home bettter myself than a "licensed" inspector in many states.

That said, this property is actually being used for a professional purpose and has had to spend significant amounts of money to bring their plumbing and wiring up to code for insurance and licensing purposes. I'd trust a county electrical inspector's report any day over a general home inspector. :) IMO it's a bonus worth paying for ;) A great renovation...from the walls to the wires to the plumbing is worth it's weight in gold..if not more so!
cooperbailey
14 years ago
Igloo that is such fun news! You will have a blast working on it! and I assume we will see progress pics on the HD forum as well?Sue
jejvtr
14 years ago
Wow Congrats to you igloo!!!

Can't wait to see photos & updates - You'll get your creative juices going

LOVE Minton!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}
bungalow_house
14 years ago
Yes, congrats, and welcome to the loony bin! :)

We bought a historic (1890's) home today :)

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