4 Tips to Buying an Older or Historic Home

Historic homes are a fascinating way to get a glimpse into what life was like before we were around. They are beautiful and have unique qualities that cannot be found in a majority of homes on the market today. They can create a sense of pride in owning an important piece of the area’s and nation’s culture. There are many great historic homes for sale in Franklin County, especially in Apalachicola. Purchasing a historic home is truly a unique investment.

Before you jump into purchasing an older home there are some things you should know and consider.

What is Classified as a Historic Home?

A historic home is at least 50 years of age with significance to the nation’s history or the specific state or community history in which the home stands.

Who Classifies a Historic Home as Historic?

Historic homes are designated historic at the federal level. The National Register of Historic Places is the authority on officially designating a home. They are part of the United States National Parks Service. To confirm a home you are interested in is indeed classified as a historic home, contact the State Historic Preservation Offices or the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Considering if a Historic Home is Right for You

If you are ready to…

"Dedicate time to the care and maintenance of the home, older homes are going to require a little more care. You may find that you want or need to update something in the home, this will require money and abiding by the approval of the historical society to ensure the history of the home is being preserved." - Matthew Kennedy, Lewiston Realtor®

"Set aside plenty of money for unexpected issues. As homes age they show signs of wear and tear. A historic home may have more than a newer home. Some of these costs may be a little steeper as compared to unexpected repairs in a newer home. It can be difficult to find the right pieces to work with the older materials and you could also run into harmful things like asbestos." - Thomas Ray, Santa Monica Realtor®

Find a reputable contractor that has extensive knowledge and experience with historic homes.

Then a historic home is a right fit for you.

If you are planning to…..

Make major changes and renovations that would alter the historic accuracy of the home, like gutting the kitchen, or even using an exterior color that wasn’t available in that time period. " Lesa Furman, Avon Indiana Realtor®

Need a move-in ready low maintenance home that will just allow you to relax and enjoy the property

Live tightly on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the first year just so you can get into the home

Wanting modern amenities like large sprawling bedrooms and open floorplans or a high-tech kitchen

A historic home probably is not the best option for you.

Historic homes are lovely and well worth the investment for adventure seekers. They are not the best investment for those who are not prepared for a larger number of repairs and upkeep needs or paying someone to take care of these things. However, if you understand what you're getting into before you purchase then you can be better prepared for all the issues that may arise from owning an older home or historic property.

Just about every city in the country has some type of older or historic homes and many have been beautifully upgraded or refurbished. If you get in on a home that's already done the heavy lifting you can enjoy a home for years to come without any major repairs.

Here is additional home buying advice:

Are older home harder to sell?

Should I Buy an older home with an easement?

Is it better to buy a new home or existing one?