A few more fun facts about the house…
It is an absolute gem, but is in desperate need of lipstick and rouge. The house is an American foursquare built in 1902 and is a very intimidating 3500 square feet. We picked a great first project, huh? At least it already has our name on it:
It boasts 8 coal-burning fireplaces and a Porte Cochere (which I’ve learned is really just a fancy schmancy way of saying carport). Luckily, most of the rooms just need a little paint and the occasional plaster touch up. But we plan to completely gut the kitchen. Also, there is a kitchenette on the second floor that we plan to turn into a master bathroom. It is important to us to maintain the character and charm of the home, while bringing it into the 21st century and making it the perfect place for us to expand our family…one day. The biggest, and scariest, reno will be the exterior. The gutters are rotting through, the house needs a new roof, and the two story porch on the back of the house is literally falling off. We are in the process of meeting with contractors and getting estimates for work. We’re just waiting for the cringe-worthy numbers. But hey, we may be newbies on the renovation scene, but we do know that they always cost more than your budget and take longer than you plan. Fingers crossed it won’t be too bad! In the meantime, Charles and I have become that exciting couple who sits at home each night browsing online for used/affordable kitchen appliances. So romantic!
More pictures coming soon!
It’s really sad that this house is in such a bad condition that the gutters are falling off. Because gutters are really affected by roofs, I can just imagine how bad the roof must me right now. However, do you happen to know how old the roof is and whether or not it has been replaced since 1902?
This is really a helpful article! Thank you for sharing some tips that can help us in near future.