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Historic Home Niche

A lot of you know that I have a passion for historic homes and historic preservation. To my great surprise, there are a lot like me out there, and I was happy to find a couple of Active Rain members in the specialized field of historic homes, take a look: Miami Shores Historic Home

This is another example of a LINK-ONLY post. My first example with a more creative approach, included some fun narration: Outside Active Rain drops . Don't miss Paul Chaney's explanation of BLOG FORMATS.

Posted by Rick & Ines - Miami Beach Real Estate on 04/14/2007 04:59 AM

Comments (36)

project blogger, historic homes, paul chaney

Originally posted at: Miami Real Estate Blog: Historic Home Niche

36 Comments on Historic Home Niche

APR

2007

Ines: Link-posts are very labor-intensive (having done on or two myself), but fun to do.

But that is not my main reason for commenting. Historic Homes & Buildings are just about my favorite things. Our active rain|active codgers, your active fans image oldest still preserved buildings are probably located at Historic Fort Snelling, and date to the 1820s when Minnesota was a western frontier. There are a few from the 1840s, and many from the 1850’s. “Boomer Jack” lives in a Greek Revival home built in 1858—just months after Minnesota became a state.

Jay

Ines, you lucky devil you. You had a visit from the Codgers! =)

I'm loving learning along with you. Thank you. The story about China real estate was heartbreaking. I had no idea these things were going on. I guess there's no such thing as a chain of title over there....

Hiya Ines,

That post that on rejuvenation.com's blog was a very nice surprise. If it weren't for Google alerts I may not have found it for a while. The hits on my blog rolled in from that one, a ton of them. Apparently they are a heavily trafficked site. That was a great gift. How on earth did you find it?

Thanks for the mention.

It is so funny what makes a "historic" home. In the US, age cannot really be the primary factor since many areas don't have older architecture. For us, unique or impressive style tends to be the key. I am currently living in the UK and I live in an area where most of the building are older than the United States!

I've always wanted to take an old brownstone in Brookltn and elegante' the hell out of it...

Just extremely expensive.

Let's see what I can do in the future.

How you guys doing?

I too love older architecture but here in North America we can't beat the Europeans. On a recent trip and ever the Realtor I asked my host about his home in Montepulciano, Italy. He said it was his family home for six hundred years!!!! The house was built in 1240 and had the original roof - we could climb up to see it if I wanted. Of course I wanted to see it - what chance would I ever get to see a roof that was that old and in perfect condition.

There are some beautiful historic homes in South Florida. I love when I hear of a great reno of an old Art Deco home... and I'm waiting for one of the reality home shows to run across a REAL Addison Mizner

Jay - I would LOVE to see a photo of Bommer Jack's Greek Revival Home. We have one of those here in Miami Shores but built in the 1920's - they really messed up the facade by putting stripped arched awenings that have NOTHING to do with the period.

Maggie - Napoleon Dynamite came to mind with your comment saying...."LUCKYYYyyyyy!" It's probably a boy thing that your girls never got into.

Laurie - I'm glad you found that I found it! This small little post here took me a couple of hours!

Robert - you can NEVER compare European architecture to the US's - but you have to give us a break- we had to start somewhere....and preserving the few good buildings the US does have is crucial.

Hey Luke - that would be such a cool project! It is expensive...but so worth it. It is difficult to find the workmanship to restore and you have to be so patient. I restored an Spanish Med here in Miami Shores and it was an amazing project. How's the little baby? ...getting a little more sleep?

Denise - historic roofs is one of my ped peeves. Here in S. Florida, they are restoring 1920's homes with historic barrel tile...guess where they bring the tile from? sometimes from old colonial towns in S. America!! They destroy the integrity there and bring them here.....it makes me so angry to even think about it. I did my Thesis in Cartagena, Colombia and those colonial cities really take your breath away....and they are NOTHING like European historic homes. Thanks for sharing.

David - I think this is the second time you mention Mizner...you should blog about him. I have to admit that his stuff was never my favorite...a little gaudy and way too decorated for my taste, and not to mention out of period....but that's another issue. When it comes to 20's architecture, it would be Walter de Garmo, Kiehnel & Elliot, Robert Law Weed, or even Marion Manley, the first woman architect registered in Dade County.

I have a niche like historic homes but it's just OLD HOMES. A lot of the homes in my area are not considered historic, but they are really old. Most have been built between 1920's and 1940's. This does require a different approach - especially when it comes to home inspections - there are ALWAYS a few funky things wrong with these homes, but of course this just adds to their overall CHARM. LOL!

PS
Love the picture of the home on your blog - We don't have many spanish mediterranian style houses with their beautiful tile roofs here - mainly brick colonials, tudors and capes with slate roofs.

Another post to share the great learning experience you're having! I love it when you combine your blog with your passion for architecture (that's your voice, you know), evident both in your blogs and in your comments. And thanks for sharing the links to Paul's blogs as well - much easier than going hunting or waiting to find it in chronological order.

Some blogs take a huge amount of research - I wonder how many readers really appreciate the time that goes into writing some of these blogs, or researching a comment. It shows, and I, for one, appreciate it.

Keep up the good work!

p.s. I'll see you in San Francisco!

Debbie- you had me drooling at the mouth when you mentioned "brick colonials, tudors and capes with slate roofs!" - remember that a building does not have to be "designated" to be considered historic. It needs to have charm and that unparalleled workmanship that we have lost. The person willing to buy a historic home knows the problems that may arise from inspections (will need to update plumbing, electrical, possible include central a/c and modernize the home in general) - in that case, the inspection serves the purpose of knowing what needs to be done, not so much a negotiating tool. Historic homes here in S. Florida go like hot-doughnuts in Krispy Kreme!

The house you see at the top we sold 2 years ago to a wonderful family. It had been built by the owner in 1935 and had remained in the same family ever since.... in original, immaculate condition. Our job was to find the perfect buyer that would love and restore it without killing its integrity...not at easy one but we did it.

Sharon- your comments are always so appreciated and give me a warm and fuzzy! - it is my passion...you are right, but also need to give other things a chance. Just from this one post I have soooo many ideas for others about historic preservation and restoration. Did you know SF is one of my favorite cities? Look at this picture of the six sisters I took last year.

six sisters in San Francisco

Teacher! Teacher! No, seriously, I feel like I'm getting an education from you and Paul both. Thanks for the lesson.

Is there a better way to to a post? To spread the links out over the story or to list the links like you did above? What's the difference? Why would you use one or the other?

I only have two links here so is what I did better than listing the links? http://activerain.com/blogsview/75568/Rosemont-Museum

Ines, are you kidding? My girls were into that movie so much they made me watch it one day. I had to chuckle for their sake. Well, I did find some of it funny, just not as much as they did =)

Dena - I think that post would be considered a link-blurb

"II. Link blurb
This is similar to the link-only format with the exception that the added commentary is longer than a sentence or two. Often it is used to explain the value of the link in question. "

It has to do with the length of the information used to describe the post. I think you can add your style to these formats and Paul gives a couple of different examples. You are giving others "link love" and you may get some in return. The more people link back to you, the better it is for you, especially if they are highly ranked.

Maggie - my favorite is "I don't feel good....my lips hurt" - you need to watch it a couple of times to get it.

Awesome example of a link only post!!! I need to get into this more and start doing things. If I can ever get unburied maybe I can do one! Great work

Thanks Ines, I love the links.

And you know, it seems like there have been alot that have gone poof in the last few months?

Hi Ines-

As an broker who is seriously considering delving into this niche in my local area, I found your article and links to be most helpful. Thank you : )

Chris - it takes a little bit of work, but starting to see how these can be of benefit.

Keith - a lot have poofed, but have come back as well and some others are still out there and easy to find.

Kelli - you are welcome! I've considered making this my niche...but it's way too limited to make a living here. We don't have many historic properties in the market at any one time and it would be like finding a needle in a haystack.

Hi Ines - I love learning all this blogging project stuff from you, and Paul must find you a great willing student.

Being in New Hampshire, we have LOADS of OLD historic homes here. We have several sections of town here in Portsmouth that are comprised of only those types of homes. Just a couple of days ago, I showed a home built in 1638-1650. It had been in the same family for over 300 years, with written documentation, and then the only other owners were the family in whose estate this house is in. They owned it for the last 50-60 years. It it in dire need of some loving restoration, but oh the period features in this home. No one had butchered it up and destroyed it. There is handpainted wallpaper still in it, gunstock corners, a trap door to hiding tunnels that were part of the underground railroad, and so much more.......

We have homes here that date back into the 1600's, being lived in, as well as historic homes open for tours. This is a very old part of the country, just full of antique and historic homes.....1600's. 1700's, 1800's and on. One of the homes I own is dated to 1890's, slate roof, in the historic district of town. And the one I live in was built in 1938 - love homes from that era - so much charm and warmth to me. I am only the 2nd owner of this home, which is really kinda cool to think about.

I did see a comment above where Debbie said she has "really old homes" her area, 'built between 1920' and 1940's' - that's considered almost new here, sort of. ;-) It's all relative!

Ann

Ann, I'm so glad you popped up here. Ines's post reminded me of one of yours you did awhile ago. I'll never forget the woman who wanted an 'old' house, she wanted one built in the 1970's. Still cracks me up when I think about it.

Hey guys, thanks for featuring my post "Is this Your Money Pit?". It's nice to know someone is reading this stuff! :)

Ann - I can just imagine what those homes look like - 300 years in the same family.....WOW!! Our older homes are from the 1920's which could definitely be considered new - and then going back to Robert's and Denise's comments - NOTHING like European homes over 600 years old!

Dena - an old 70's house is way too funny!!

THANKS TO EVERYONE THAT HAS CONTRIBUTED TO THIS POST - YOUR COMMENTS HAVE ENDED UP BEING MORE INTERESTING THAT THE ACTUAL ARTICLE - THANK YOU!

Ines, it looks like you are being a good student following all of Paul's instructions. Thank you for continuing to share them with us.

Ines...I second Ann's comment! Come to NH we have a huge amount of old homes. You'd love it here...except of course it's a bit colder than your used it!

Hi Dena - I had forgotten about that post of mine - "Just How Old is Old?" That was, and still is a funny story!

I also did a post about the old schools in my area having been converted into some really cool condos. I've got more historic posts in my my head - now if only I can find the time to get them out of my head and into something in writing. ;-)

Ann

Jennifer - you have quite a library of really great posts! I do urge people to go check you out - beautiful properties!

George - anyone around me knows that when I take on a project, I TAKE ON A PROJECT...there's no in-between or semi-done - I give it 100% or don't do it at all (sometimes I wish I was not such an extremist)...and count on me sharing, I cannot be the only one benefiting.

Monika - it sounds amazing!! I would be like a kid in a candy store!

Ann - I know exactly what you mean...I'm off to check out your post - thanks for adding the link.

Neat post, Ines. I, too, love historic homes, and living in Boston was terrific for that sort of thing. Alas, such things are an anomaly here in Southern California, but there are some neat homes in downtown San Diego, some nearby communities, and San Francisco and LA both have some beat pockets of history. I also have a fondness for post-modern and contemporary architecture.

Jeff

Ines

I am cheering all you bloggers on and enjoying learning along with you all. Best wishes and thanks again for sharing with us all

Ines, it looks like neither one of use knows how to do things half way.......but I would not want it to be any other way. Don't ever change.

Ines I am also having fun with the nuggets you share with us. With regards to old historic homes you should visit the Hudson Valley. I just listed a 1706 Dutch Stone house and the history that goes along with it is rather fasicinating.

Here is a link to the 1824 home that I am lucky enough to be associated with. For me, part of the fun of selling this kind of home is putting together the history of hte home.

Selling A Historic Home

Jeff - I am a modernist at heart...so don't get me started...but seeing the workmanship and detail in a historic home takes my breath away.

Thanks Desiree - for your support and encouragement!

George - I'll remember that - it's part of my being...cannot EVER change it.

Jennifer - 1706! holly molly! any pictures? include a link of any information you have...would love to hear about it.

Randy - off to check out the link.

APR

2007

Reserved Parking For The Lovely Wife...I'll be back to check out all those links.

Okay. This is catching up thing is going to kill me :)

TLW...ROAR!

APR

2007

Ines~

Your link-only post totally caught me in hours of delightful research. As you know, we are all about stewardship...and this trip into the historic was food for my soul.

TLW - don't worry about catching up....just go with the flow...you know I'm good with that!

JaneAnne - it was definitely food for my soul to prepare it - hours of research...but so rewarding!

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