Buying an older home upstate NY
Many consumers from the New York City area looking for a second home in the country usually want to find an older home from the 1700s-1900s. The wish list includes: clapboard siding, wide board flooring, period details, fireplace, 2 bathrooms, large rooms, pond or stream and a private lot.
Trying to satisfy such a wish list is not always easy and here is why.
- Many older homes are not very private and are located close to the road or in a village. This is not a surprise because when you think of the time period in which the houses were built modern transportation was not available and I suspect no one wanted to also spend hours cleaning a long driveway.
- Some people tend to equate the age of the house with the presence of wide board flooring. Although this is somewhat true, it is also important to note that many of the houses you might come across with very narow boards are as old as the ones with wide boards; and the narrow board is an indication that the homeowner was actually wealthier.
- Finding clapboard siding is not alway easy and might involve digging a little deeper. Because the boards had to be maintained many owners opted for siding that was easier to maintain, so you will find many homes covered by unslightly tiles because these tiles were maintenace free. These tiles were placed directly over the clapboard and I have known of many homes where these tiles were taken off and the beautiful clapboard was revealed.
- Privacy can also present a challenge, many of the homes were constructed close together and this was done so neighbors could look out for each other. Another issue that happens alot is that the land was divided up and sold in a manner that does not make much sense to us today. For example, you might find that you will need an easement across several neighbors properties to get to your home. If this is the case you might have to chip in to pay for the maintenace of a private road.
- I Know we all want to have more than one bathroom but in most older homes there is usually one bathroom and sometimes you will find an outhouse, therefore, you would have to add a second bathroom if you so desire. This brings me to the subject of the septic. Many times during an inspection a septic cannot be located and many times there is just a cesspool. This will mean you will be putting in a septic system.
- Buying an older home in the country can be rewarding but keep in mind it will be a labor of love and could require deep pockets. I have seen some finished product and I can say going through the restoration was well worth it. It is wonderful to see a home restored to it former state.
If you are looking to purchase a country home old or new I would be delighted to assist you.
Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com
www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com
Copyright © by Jennifer Fivelsdal, all rights reserved-
Jennifer Fivelsdal - JFIVE HOMES REALTY LLC - 845-758-6842- jennifer@jfivehomes.com
www.jfivehomes.com or www.midhudsonhomevalue.com
