So.. You Want to Buy A Cheap Old House
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2023
- Here are 5 things everyone should know before you buy a cheap old house, an abandon mansion, or even an forgotten chateau. Its one of the hardest, most expensive, and time consuming things ive ever done. Its also one of the best things ive ever done. Here are my 5 tips for anyone trying to buy a cheap old house. Enjoy!
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Been in mine for 23 years, just got the walls back in. Folks, make sure your spouse is on board and don't let the house take priority over your marriage. If you are living in your "project," learning and doing everything yourself, it may take longer than you think. Life happens, people get sick, kids come along, jobs take up time. That said, I have a wonderful wife (who could care less about old houses) and a beautiful Queen Anne that still needs a ton of work🙂.
Been in mine 43 years. Have made it to the 80% complete stage. A wise man in this historic neighborhood once said that behind every successful house are two broken marriages!
Congratulations! 80% is quite an accomplishment!!! Wise comment too, I'll remember that one. More and more I put my wife first. Maybe it comes with age, but she is the gem.
@@michaelb.3978 That was my favorite comment ever on UA-cam! Well, today is Saturday, another "work on the house" Saturday. Good luck with that last 20%. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
Maybe your kids can finish it lol
We lucked out with our 1890 house because it's in a small village. As I was planted flowers in the front one day, an elderly woman stopped to say she used to live in our house. I had a lovely conversation with her and learned a good deal. I am a graphic designer and desktop publishing expert so, I volunteered to help the local historical society publish books on the local history to help fund research and preservation of that history--learn a whole lot more and met many more wonderful people who were third, fourth even some fifth generation residents.
I agree with keeping the original millwork etc. in the Victorian homes. I really hate to see people go in gut and destroy these old homes. It really destroys the look and character of these homes when they make them modern inside. Its really ugly in my opinion. Fads fade away but to me the Victorian look is a timeless classic. The woods, details and craftsmanship are works of art. I think if a person doesn't like this look they shouldn't buy a Victorian style home.
Victorian is not a style, but well said.
"I think if a person doesn't like this look they shouldn't buy a Victorian style home."
Some places have laws about historical homes.
Outside of that, people are free to do as they wish just as you are.
@@spikefivefivefive Your comment made me so angry when I first saw it that I had to wait to reply for fear of being kicked off of UA-cam. I don't appreciate your snarky attitude. I also don't appreciate the fact that you have no respect for art. That's like saying, "The Mona Lisa is the property of the Louvre, and therefore they are free to do as they wish with it, the same way they were free to build The Greatest Architectural Atrocity of All Time, Pyramid Edition, in their front yard."
@@spikefivefivefive Sure, if you buy it, it's yours to do as you wish. But really, if you're buying a piece of history, you should actually WANT a piece of history--not just a canvas for some modern atrocity. There's a finite supply of homes like this, and it's easier to build new if you want modern, than to destroy something historic. Once it's gone, it's gone for good.
I remember watching The Addams Family, and the theme song includes the line "they live in a museum" has always stuck with me. It has become a life goal, thought with less dust and spider webs
I like the way you think.
2:21 I think I just suffered a brain aneurysm when I saw what someone did to that beautiful woodwork.
I live in a 50’s ranch and the materials have definitely changed even over the past 70 years. We have plaster walls, the sturdiest sub flooring I’ve ever seen and the closet rods are all just solid steel bars.
WOW
I love what youre doing Caleb. I hate beautiful old houses that are modern inside. Love your vision and can't wait to visit when done
Caleb, I remember your very first few videos, You said you were amazed how many people were interested in your project with your house. Caleb.... We are still interested in your house.. God Bless you and yours...
He makes it interesting, too!!! His love for it is inspiring
2:45 every one Needs to hear this when buying a house !!
Beautifully said Caleb. I certainly hope anyone who is interested in buying a much older ( historical) house that they take to heart your wonderful documentary ( message)on buying older houses.
Loved it! ♥️😊👍👍🌟🌟🌟🌟
I had a 1920s house that still had all the original stained woodwork, many of the doors and built in cabinets. In 2013 the buyer came in and painted it all. It disgusted me when I saw the photos, when he listed it for sale.
When you talked about asking questions it made me think of the old saying "There's no such thing as a stupid question just stupid people who don't ask questions". You likely ask a lot of questions and that's why you're so smart. You're also very, very talented. I look forward to your videos. I love your house.
great vid. thank you...but that picture of the amazing stairway and railing ripped out to modern wood and glass!!!!!! omg!!! that's as horrifying to me as gore. it's something i wish i could unsee. whoaaaa!!
Me too! That glass looks so tacky. Why oh why did they destroy a pretty staircase for something so hideous? I'm usually disgusted by painted white woodwork, but even that would be better than destroying the staircase completely. It might make sense if the stairs were moved for some reason (it happens), but they weren't. The same staircase in the same place, just 10x uglier.
Those people are vile creatures, to do a thing like that! I hate them without even knowing them!
I lived in a house that was built in1800 and was doing family genealogy. Come to find out my 3d Great grandparents were married in my living room by the justice of the peace in 1810.
I knew that their daughter and son-in-law,my 2d GG'S were married in the church 3 houses down from me in 1836. The church was built in 1835.
You have an interesting story to share. Thanks for what you did tell us. It's interesting & intriguing.
Beautiful video - renovation/restoration is a journey, not a quick flip, and an act of love and respect for those who created community before us.
My childhood home was an 1890's bungalow with 10 foot ceilings. Each piece of moulding, baseboard and paneling was chosen by the lady who had the house built. It was beautiful. I understand the people who bought it from us lowered the ceiling to put in asbestos ceiling tiles. Don't want to think about what it looks like now.
Such valuable advice Caleb. Even here in England we are fighting the effects of unsympathetic ‘renovations’ on our older buildings. Concrete causes such terrible damage.
Great video, Kaleb…and thank you to Kim for being our regular “Kim for Scale” on the Hall and Brown machine. Love and happiness to both of you, as you take us along on your journey ❤
Beautifully said.
My maternal grandfather's house was built in 1858 , it is located near White Horse in Lancaster County Pa - 3 courses of brick thick and even the inside walls were brick ( that were made in a pit 3miles away) - it was a Tavern House at one time - the farm it was on was deeded by the Penn Brothers in th 1700's - I have a lot of information on through the word of family mouth and researching local historical books and historical society
Kaleb and kim it is becoming a master piece! Just beautiful love you two.💕
I think the New Orleans stylishly decorated cast iron roof is pretty stunning and sets your house above the rest on the block.
Thank you for this video, Caleb! I'm an architecture historian and a landmarks commissioner in a historically rich town with no legal protections in the historic district, and I've had to watch in horror over the last couple years as three beautiful, intact houses have been bought and completely, utterly gutted with no regard for their history whatsoever. They're no longer historic houses. And one of the owners keeps bragging about their "authentic 200-year old hardwood floors..." Yeah Karen, you had a LOT more to brag about until a year ago... (not the homeowner's real name.) All we can do now is revoke their contributing status from the historic district, which will make it even harder for someone in the future who eventually might want to do a total restoration of one of them. And just for the sake of my love for the historic town, I actually would do that if I have the resources in the future (I'm still working on my masters degree and I'm the youngest of the commissioners, so I don't exactly have savings), but they would effectively be reconstructions at this point, and basically none of the original handiwork of the old masters. The damage has been done.
Shudder!
Shake Lamb
What they want is historical exterior house ( usually preservation society mandates. Modern interior if that is not mandated.
@@randyfritz333 Both the interiors and exteriors of said houses were obliterated in all cases. If they wanted to retain a historical exterior, they failed.
I lived in Watertown, NY in the 1970’s. I cried as I watched the big beautiful homes being torn down to build a State Office Building😢! We renovated a 1890 Queen Ann. She became part of our family! Others have continued after we moved.
I know several cities (especially in New England) have restoration committees made up of residents and people in the trade who develop rules and regulations on any work that is deemed a historical home.
There are many restrictions as I had seen on This Old House but you will get the right people buying those homes that respect the structural integrity and want to preserve it. The Heritage Foundation works by grants and they may be able to help you draft up a charter with a good lawyer.
Great work once again! Thanks for this important info. Kim looks very lovely and happy next to that piece of equipment. You're a lucky man to find a quality lady who shares your interests. Shout-out for Kim!
I'd love to fix up an old house if I ever have the money. I'd probably do a combo of (light) renovation and restoration. Keep all of the character of the old house while adding my own touches.
I love what you and Kim are doing. So often we see historic homes with facades from their time and then they’re completely modern on the inside. There was a Victorian house down the road from me that was nearly completely renovated. It’s now gone and an apartment block in its place 💔
My husband and I bought a home in a small town in Illinois in 2021. It was built in 1900 and used to be a home for nuns and then for the priest of the church which is right across the street from us. Many incorrect rehabs were done over the years and we are doing what we can to "restore" it. We visited St. Louis about 23 years ago and absolutely loved all the older homes!
@3:33 When I worked in the IT department at the NY State Education Department, they constantly renovate, repair and update the building. It is the largest single supporting colonade in the world.
Built in 1911, it features old wood moldings and features.
One of the things they do when renovating is adhere to the old fixtures as much as possible.
They were replacing some old oak hair molding in a hallway when I stopped to ask about the project.
The project manager told me that any new molding would not match as the grain on the newer boards are not as tight as the old boards.
They found a log salvage company out of Michigan which salvages old lumber from sunken ships in the great lakes. The lumber is well preserved by the cold fresh waters of the lake. They raise the lumber, dry it properly and sell it.
The State bought some and it matched very closely that the normal person walking by won't know the difference!
They even color match the stain using formulas from old paperwork in the State Museum rather than just buying Minwax or some other garbage!!
The tender and silly moment on the bench with you wife was adorable!!
@12:00 The Sears kit house we bought from HUD had a zinc copper composite roof over the porch.
The porch had a leak (come to find out it was one pin hole) so HUD, in their infinite wisdom had a contractor fasten a tarp covering the hole. When I removed the tarp, now there were 48 holes in the roof to hold down the tarp to cover one hole!
So, after extensive research, I found the correct solder to fill the holes and the correct paint to recover the roof.
Btw, I also had to remove tons of black asphalt tar "sealing" the seams which it didn't do anything because the leak was in the panel not the folded seams.
😂😂😂
Caleb, listening to your passionate talk describing what you do and your encouragement for others to really understand their old houses filled me with admiration. You are a real gem, and I have been following your painstaking restoration since the beginning. In your own unpretentious way you have earned more love out here than you could ever know.
Enjoyed.. I am guilty of having the romance with an old house that sure was a money pit but it was ok. So I bought another then another ..lol
Love that you are sharing your journey with us. I always wanted to restore an old house, but my husband has no interest in that. Definitely has to be a team effort! It is fun and heartwarming watching your house change you as a person. Increasing in knowledge and skills and being willing to share what you are learning with others is a true gift. Your passion is contagious - you are an inspiration. I’m here for the long haul!
This should be required viewing for anyone even thinking of taking on a historic house, Kaleb. We've been in ours 25 years and no, it will never be "done". Yes, you'll probably have to do a lot yourself due to lack of money and finding qualified contractors. I almost had a stroke when I saw those so-called "after" pictures; replacing an oak bannister with glass????? I've always felt we were stewards rather than owners, looking after this place so it will still be here in another 100 years.
Thank you for being such an eloquent champion for restoration Kaleb!
This video should be required viewing! Eloquent and precise. Thank you!
It was such a pleasure just to listen to you this morning. You have a great voice Kaleb. We hope to visit & spend a night after you & Kim finish your beautiful home.
@10:40 I live in Amsterdam, NY and at one time in the 1930's boasted more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the US!
We had a thriving broom industry until the advent of the electric vacuum cleaner.
We also had the largest rug and carpet manufacturing industry in the world up until the 1950's when they all moved south.
Yes! The fact that the house is designed to breathe, to allow fresh air to flow between cross-layers in the floor, to seep in around closed windows, etc., because moisture will get in and this kept people healthy, too.
Sorry I missed the live. I'm so glad you chose the path you did.
Nothing sets my teeth on edge quite like someone who buys a house and then tries to make it a completely different style than what it is. Why buy a house if you're going to change everything about it? Buy the house you want, don't remuddle a perfectly good design trying to make it into something that it is not.
Doing the genealogy of my house got me interested in the genealogy of my family. Every previous owner of my land from 1847 to now had an interesting story. I made a huge 3 ring binder of all the information about each buyer and I hope that book stays with my house forever.
I wouldn't mind watching a few of these short videos about each room and what you plan on doing with each one, been watching since you had the roof resealed and seen every video, just in case between projects and you need a few ideas for vids lol
There is one more to add. You can't rehab one old house in a neighborhood where the others have been torn down without losing a ton of money. No matter how much work you put into the restoration project , your house is going to be worth what the neighborhood is worth, no more. Been there, done that.
Just before this video I watched a video of an ongoing restoration of a cheap old house by a young Russian couple who escaped to the country of Georgia after Putin invaded Ukraine. The house is in much worse shape than they thought but it was all they could afford. The husband who is a minister had no experience in construction and is doing all the work himself, much with hand tools. So many similarities but some differences.
I grew up in a Victorian farmhouse and the stories about that house were notorious in our area. It was built by an ancestor and was a brothel twice in its history. Thankfully, not while I was living there ;)
Great points, all! You have come so far! I always love seeing that fantastic bathroom with the hand-stenciled walls. Some people think that going out to 'have fun' is what it's all about. For people like me, 'fun' is transitory. There is nothing better than the satisfaction of having done something productive, a job well done, with results you can see. Even as people get older, it's always the person who loves their garden or woodworking shop (or other creative passion), who has purpose in their life, rather than sitting on the couch watching TV all day. They live longer too!
My favorite way to put it is to "earn your rest"
Kaleb
A great idea to keep modern conveniences in the basement. ❤️ That way you keep the house a period house in substance and style. ❤️
Great suggestions and insight. 💕
When we sold our childhood home from 1907 two years ago (my father past away and the house was way to big and expensive to maintain for our mother) our mother wrote the history of the house down including photographs we had, and gave this to the new owner. It was relatively easy because the house was in our family from the beginning. The new owner was happy to know more about his house and we as a family had the feeling of closure and a new beginning all at once. I'm living in a "breathing" house from 1904 for 30 years now, and totally agree with Kaleb about maintaining and restoring a house of a different era. Hopefully a lot of magnificent homes can be saved for the future. Thank you Kaleb for pointing all this out.
This video couldn’t be more true! I love to hear how clear he makes it
theres not many houses like yours in NY, but if i can find one for cheap ill be buying one, one day. i love the style and architecture
I used type "O" mortar. Had to make it myself. in small batches but it's worked great.
Thank you Kaleb for continuing to share your journey(and Thank you Kim for sharing your & Kaleb's time with us!)
So, how is the Mansard coming along? I'm sure it is a struggle getting these exterior projects done as quickly as they need, I hope it doesn't overwhelm you!
Great info and round up. Onward!
Hi Caleb, very true on all you said but i wanted to tune in to your videos to enjoy your progress on your wonderful house, i love old buildings, the history and imagining how and what went on back in the day. more care was taken the pride of workmanship is my appeal in what your doing and what was done. great content. Thank you
I’ve been watching since the beginning, but this video has explained a lot about what methods you chose and why.
I live in a 1890s Victorian terraced house and have spent many years bringing her back to her former glory. Even though I own it I still see myself as her latest custodian for however long I live here and hope the next will care for her as much for future generations to come. Too many historic places have been destroyed and replaced with carparks and as many quick build homes they can squeeze into a small footprint!!
It’s looking great! Thanks for sharing tips with us. My husband bought a couple historic homes. I can’t move in yet, but I’m so excited. I really hope more people continue to do what u guys are doing, there are so many historical homes & buildings across US the need ur kinda love. I’ve already commented it on another of ur vids, but the more I watch channels like yours, the more I want to save our history. We have a lot of pets so we’ll be taking measures to make sure no cat, dog or bird does any harm! 😅Honestly, all the ppl who are into restoration should have a massive meetup or conference or something, ppl may need the craftsman contacts. It’s wild how it can be so difficult to outright own land in US. And I just know in places like Detroit (where I am from & talking to ppl own property downtown) , they keep raising taxes etc but it’s not always helping where it ought to.
Are you ever right. Although I didn’t have a Victorian, I had a old 1940s stucco house in California. We got talked into Tex Coating it and they even did under the eaves. Well I think you know what happened some years later, it couldn’t breathe and was retaining damp. Had to strip it and re stucco it along with other repairs. I love your house and the hard work and research you have done.
I'm looking at an old 20s bungalow in California. It has cracks inside on the walls and a split floor (I think it needs piers to be realigned). Are these type of houses something that can be worked on overtime while living in it?
Before I started watching your channel, I was very more into modern and not liking the "old stuff" however you have showed me the appreciation, detail and story behind how things were designed and built. I definitely appreciate it more. I like the idea of marrying the two camps but def highlight some great parts. I still prefer modern but def have a greater appreciation for the old character.
I always have trouble in STL finding good people to work on my place. I've just resorted to doing it myself unless it becomes impossible or I break it
What an inspiring and informative video. Thank you Caleb !!
So well presented Caleb!! Well done!
@1:20 Just like old vehicles. You can restore to original or restomod it with a modern chassis and conveniences with an old style body on it.
This episode was so well done because when people go to fix their new homes like you said, they just fix it the way they know how and maybe not necessarily the best way. I told this story before how a house uptown had a bad mud and lathe wall? They tore it all out and replaced it with sheet rock because well, they didn't know any better. Then I heard they were afraid of their heat boiler for their radiators because it had what they thought was mercury leaking out the joints. - you know like sodder. I don't know about that. They just clearly needed to sign up for Caleb's restoration class ha ha. 😁
Love you, Man. Thanks for this channel and all of the hard work.
there are companies that renovate old kitchen appliances to change coal to gas or electric.
Kaleb - Did you ever find out how many families owned this house before you and Kim?
It is maddeningly difficult to find bagged lime. Even here on the east coast where masonry is still practiced, they look at you funny when you ask for lime.
What a tremendous job you did on this presentation! Well thought-out and delivery was smooth 💪🏻
I second this! Especially after seeing an older home where the contractor very carefully & well restore the beautiful woodwork & then plopped 2020 big box store modern kitchen & baths into it. Why????
Very good advice and thoughts. And yes people do need to think about why they're getting an old house. Awesome. Have a great week.
The one thing I hate about Australia is that they are extremely strict on what you can and cannot do when it comes to building. If you are a tradesmen then awesome, there are only a few restrictions. But if you have no qualifications then it is extroadinarily out of peoples price range to fix and repair a house.
Laws are in place that mean you must use licenced Builders, Plumbers, Electricians and many other trades and cannot do them yourself. If you do then you risk the Government Councils finding out and demolishing your house, whether it was Heritage Listed and Protected or not, and even if some measurement was just 2 millimeters out.
I remember hearing about one house that had a corner wall that was negligibly off what it was supposed to be so it was ordered to be demolished. Someone must of been rubbed the wrong way for that to happen but it did.
And Even then the Historic Associations also have large amounts of clout as well and they are constantly in your ear and also are very strict on who you use to do the repairs and they MUST be used for any repairs. Doesn't matter how gifted or talented they are, if they are not on the Associations accepted register of companies, they cant touch the house. And those Companies pretty much have a licence to print money.
Caleb, you make some excellent points about buying and restoring/renovating an old house. I’m really enjoying your vlogs. You’ve made amazing progress & what you’ve learned & shared with us is really interesting & educational. Thanks 😘🇨🇦
*Caleb, awesome advice given to anyone wanting to do this.*
I wonder what happened to the Iron work detail that used to be on the front of the roof at the top! You can see it in the 1890's photo.
This is why I love you, Kelab. You pay such attention to detail, you don't cut corners, you do your research, and you work hard with immense appreciation for what you have. I don't think I live in a historic home (unless you count the 1970s), and not to give much away, but I've been there, and now people like me are considered "classics" 😂 The small town I live in was once home to a famous clown. You might have heard of him -Emmet Kelley. We have been doing events in his honor for many years now.
I want to restore an old home to its beautiful glory. I need to live out my Downton Abbey fantasy 😭
It is also important to remember that with a restoration process, all new technologies that you install are adding to the history of the house. All houses evolve over time. In your house, it demonstrates a transitional phase with respect to energy usage. This is evident in the gas/ electric lighting fixtures. Then evolving with the addition of new fangled telephone equipment. It should be noted that even Hall and Brown, while keeping with the commonly used practice for industry , in motive energy, still were progressive to innovate their product possibilities and invent new machines to ease the time a craftsman would need to spend on creating the mist sought wooden embellishments.
Such evolution as you mention results in an old house that can function like a new construction, providing that the installation is sympathetic to the structure. As you have experienced in your old house, there were many aspects that had the appearance of being “added%” without such sympathy. An example being the waste water piping not being within a wall cavity. This indicates that initially, there may jot gave been indoor plumbing and there might have been first just an outhouse, which then progressed to indoor plumbing with a septic system in the back yard until finally being able to connect to a municipal system.
As you have pointed out in your basement projects, you wonder why things such as installing a cable run was drilled through a window sash instead of going either through.the cement between the brick/ stone juncture or even through the window casing above the sash. Such non sympathetic installations a result of social conditions brought about by a corporate dictum of now much time should be spent by an installer in any given project.
Even you have mixed various techniques in your restoration, such as to use drywall for the ceiling of the powder room project. Had such products bern available to the craftsmen of the era, they would have used them as well. The same could be said regarding your new climate control heating cooling system. While in a structure such as yours, the breathability of the materials was implemented due to the available construction products. Wit a new interior climate control system, the conditions under which those materials will continue to transfer moisture will be lessened as such systems dehumidify the spaces. It should not cause the lime mortar to deteriorate at the same rate as previously, it will extend that deterioration process over a greater amount of time.
One area that so far you have not any difficulties with is your sub-soil exterior waterproofing. Meaning that whatever product that was used, is still effective or you would have already seen the presence of water in the basement. Such oroducts were new technology for that era and their use shows the progressive outlook of the builders and Mr. Brown. Even in. Pure restoration, one should never overlook products that can extend the life of your restoration efforts over the products that were initially used.
Good Advice for all those that want to restore/ renovate. You made very good points on using the correct materials.
Bro, your passion about this is beautiful! I’m dipping my toes in the water right now and hope I jump in one day. Good luck to you!
Amen! Brother Kaleb.
Awesome video Caleb! ❤ Really enjoying following you and Kim on your historic home renovation journey. Warmest regards from New Zealand.
@3:52 I owned a Sears Craftsman kit house built in 1934.
It didn't have a stitch of insulation when I bought it. I thought oh Jesus it's going to cost a fortune to heat it. But it didn't and as a matter of fact there were no drafts in the house except around the windows and doors.
You see kit houses are designed to be tight with ship lap siding cover with cedar clapboards and double sill plates top and bottom but yet able to breathe.
I'm reminded of modern construction that has mold and mildew moisture build up because the insulation is so tight that the building can't breathe and get rid of it.
I say if they build houses like the old kit houses, they wouldn't need insulation and be a lot healthier to live in.
I love this, Caleb - I wish I was confidient enough to try restoration...but then again, it really just depends on your interests. All is possible when you're doing what you love. And yes, its cool to think that you and your history will live on in this very solid home. Thanks for the vid!
I prefer being the steward of an old gem.
I bought a house for 20000$ four years ago. Still renovating and still dont live in it 😅. Cheep houses is rearly cheep in the long run
I live in Pennsylvania near the Ohio boarder right next to a early 18th century to 20th century cemetery. The headstones where made from limestone from a local mine and have been neglected for a long time. Hit by lawn mowers and pulled down by gravity. I’m afraid to damage the stones but as they sit against the trees I watch them sink. The church disbanded in the 2000s and the owners have left the care to me and my dad. I don’t want to fail the generations of people buried here. I just need the knowledge to pursue this project.
Ty Caleb from all restorers and restoration ones out there. ❤️👍
Another excellent video, Kaleb! I just love your enthusiasm and your excitement when you accomplish or discover a piece of history. Have you thought you will be another part of the history of this house? ❤😊
That's one thing different about Australian areas and US areas...millionaires row in St Louis and many other inner city areas in the US fall into disrepair but in Australia most areas just got even more expensive and gentrified...no Australian city has inner city areas where half the houses have collapsed or have been demolished due to suburban flight (even though we do have sprawling suburbs too)...our cities have no areas of decay like I've seen in the US, I just never happened.
Wow. Really good info about mortar. I hired a guy a few years ago and I have no idea what he used, but it does not look like cement based mortar. I have more to do and I will definitely check it out.
A few years ago when i was 27, i was following the typical bigger house/bigger bills/keeping with the joneses. I had a credit score of 740 and was pre approved for a $250k mortgage. As a single man, i felt pretty successful having that under my belt on my own two feet and in my own name. I had a split foyer in Chelsea AL under contract when covid hit and i put all my plans on hold. After some time, i was asked if i considered looking at a historic home instead of the new construction i was looking at. 4 years later and 2 years into my ownership of an 1850s italianate, I'm very happy with the decision. I did a ton of research and looked at homes in many states all over the US before stumbling on the one I'm in. My main focus was roof (aka no active water leaks to chase) and a firm foundation. Anything else i was up for. Always important to keep in mind that it may not be perfect, but having no mortgage is well worth the investment and can help you tolerate quite a bit of.....quirkyness that a 170+ year old house comes with. It also helped that i have a passion for architecture and renovation. If i had to do it over again, I'd take the same exact path.
You can have a modern kitchen but have it look like the victorian cooking equipment. there are refrigerators and stoves that look like respectively an ice-box and a coal or wood burning stove but are fully modern electric utensils.
i did some work for a guy that his house burned down in the marshall fire and he had one of those big machines with the 2 wheels, im guessing bandsaw.
Caleb, this is likely one of your best videos.
What a FANTASTIC video!!!
Very well done Caleb. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Lovely video!
Lovely video! It is clear that you are enjoying the process! Thanks for sharing
The most important question to ask yourself is it important to me to have a home that economic value equals the purchase price and renovation cost. If it's not important to you then proceed. If the home must have a value that equals the cost then consider this a huge red flag. St Louis is a very difficult house market. Other markets have greater economic value. I really enjoy this renovation journey and wish the the owners the best.
Great points that you brought up in this most informative video! Wish all will watch and appreciate! Thank you!