I grew up in a home that was built in the late 1800’s, so I know a little about old. As a kid, I loved it, a long staircase railing for sliding, a cellar basement, back stairs to sneak down to the kitchen – it was great. My Dad, on the other hand, always seemed to be fixing something that was broken (plumbing mostly) or trying to make things better – new wallpaper and paint were commonplace at our house.
We all know old homes are everywhere. Some have architectural and/or historical significance and some don’t. It seems most of these older homes are either treasures or disasters. Treasures when they‘re well maintained and disasters when maintenance is deferred or avoided completely.
Here’s where it gets interesting. Some people like old, some like new, and some are impartial to whatever suits their lifestyle and bank account. What we do know is there is often passion and emotion on the subject. Sometimes it gets downright nasty.
One of the solutions for this conundrum is to have a home designated and registered as a Historic Landmark, that way a home’s status is no longer up for debate and its future is known.
What is a Historic Landmark Designation? Wikipedia knows.
My thoughts on the subject -
Historic Landmark Designation, the good: I have been fortunate enough to see some great old homes brought back to their original state…….and boy, they can be beautiful. Many are true works of art, intricate moldings, pocket-doors, formal dining, staircases with hand-carved banisters and ballrooms in the attic…real treasures and well worth the preservation. Under Landmark status it is also likely that the real estate will be granted some kind of property tax break from the local municipality or county – a nice bonus.
Historic Landmark Designation, the not so good: In most cases it will be a governmental body that will determine what the homeowner can and can’t do with their home. In Illinois, the Secretary of the Interior makes those decisions. Additionally, at least in Illinois, the homeowner must file an annual affidavit with the tax assessor verifying the property’s ownership and use. There are other requirements as well, most of which require both time and money for the homeowner. Maybe most important, the designation can actually diminish the value of the real estate.
So, IMO, preserving our historical homes is not straight-forward. It can be both a burden for the real estate itself, as well as its owner. On the other hand, owners get the feel-good of owning and preserving a piece of history and all the character, enjoyment and fulfillment it brings.
Not a simple decision for a homeowner – lots of moving parts :)
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