Well, I grew up in this house. I ended up living here with my dad until he passed 2 years ago. It feels depressing here, but my husband and dog and so forth keep me feeling better. The inside is nice, but the bathroom and kitchen and porch needs some work. It has 14 rooms, including only one bathroom. It needs to be rewired for safety reasons and the outside needs a lot of work to look really nice. I live on a farm, back a lane and no one really sees it except for the farmers we lease the land to and a few friends and family. I just want something more, since I have a good job now and land to work with. I could rent it out and build a home. We have one rental house on our farm already--getting 300 a month for that one. This is a small, rural town and I could not rent this one for more than 450 most likely--although it is in much better condition. Should I save more money by not fixing it up so that I can later build a new one or should I fix this up? What do you suggest? :)
2006-12-16 11:17:33 · 6 answers · asked by just julie 6 in Home & Garden ➔ Decorating & Remodeling
Some sections of the home were built at different times, so some of the floors--you have to step down and so forth in one part of the home. I would love to make them even--if I stay here, so that it will be nicer for movement when I get older or need help getting around one day. You never just never know one's future health needs. Although I know a lot of other homes have these type floors that have steps up and so forth on the same floor.
2006-12-16 11:26:50 · update #1
A house from right around 1800?? If it hasn't been destroyed by previous remodelings and additions I would bet that someone would want to buy it and restore it.
Sounds like a project for the "This Old House" crew on PBS.
I would think that you'd want to consult with a conservator to determine if there is any historical significance to the house, certainly research previous owners at the county courthouse.
Determine if the style of the house has any significance or is a sought after style that should be restored at least on the exterior.
Plenty probably can be done to the interior, and if the whole house has to be rewired that might require gutting it anyway. probably want to insulate walls and ceilings too.
You might be sitting on a gold mine though.
2006-12-16 11:25:56 · answer #1 · answered by Coach 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They are not building 200 year old homes anymore, and there are all kinds of people (nuts?) who dream of buying and restoring just such a house, they want "history" and "character" so don't tear it down, you might better partition off the property around the house and build a new one, then you will have everything brand new, up to code, the way you want it, all the "memories" will be the ones you create in it. It makes more sense then entirely rebuilding an old house and undoing it's value, or tearing it down. I do not advocate renting, it can turn into a nightmare, especially if there isn't much for employment in your area. They even dismantle old homes like that to relocate to suburbs and reassemble them on big lots and sell for several million dollars.
2006-12-16 19:30:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
im rennovating a 120 year old house right now, and i wouldnt trade it for anything! i love the comfortable worn feeling about this house. it has a PERSONALITY. you just cant find it in todays homes. the quality of the workmanship in all its details is of the highest calibre and you can tell that it was a labor of love for the craftsmen who all played a part in its construction. I personally dont like triple-glazed, sealed windows, or fake laminate "hardwood" or the complete lack of personality you find in almost evry suburban area of any city in north america.
yes, there are challenges involved in this kind of rennovation--its very difficult to find matching woodwork trim and windows--and wood is very expensive nowadays. ive had to make a lot of it myself, simply because theres nowhere to find it. corners are mostly not square, walls are plaster (not gyprock), closets are small or non-existant. bathrooms are tiny, and yes, i also only have one bathroom...but im putting another in the basement.
as long as the foundation is steady and the house doesnt have major rot or termite damage, then i say go for it. i wouldnt trade my house for any new house on the market. and even tho im only half done the renos, everyone who sees this house loves it.
2006-12-16 19:39:02 · answer #3 · answered by mickey 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Find what it is worth and what its shape is. Based on that decide if it makes more sense to build or remodel. I do not think renting is a solution.
I feel it is also a emontional decision that you are making. Are you sure you don't want to keep the house you grew up in?
2006-12-17 03:02:00 · answer #4 · answered by ana 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Myself i would tear it down and rebuild.Something that old would cost more to redo then you realize.You can build now the way you want your floors for your old age.Floors will be the least of your worries.You could have it tore down and save some of the older things for your new house you could reuse.Floor boards,molding,things in good shape if you like.Good luck.
2006-12-16 22:59:32 · answer #5 · answered by Larry-Oklahoma 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would say level the place and start fresh. But if there are a lot of family memories for the house, and you would rather fix the place up,get your carpenter and construction friends foe a bbq aand some beer and hash out some solid ideas on how to restore the house.....good luck
2006-12-16 19:30:56 · answer #6 · answered by duster 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋