Historical Columbia SC Homes: Things to Know Before You Buy
Historical Columbia SC homes can be fascinating. The ones that have survived for many years can hold secrets and stories passed down for generations. One may decide to buy a historical house for many different reasons, from personal living to renovating for historical tours. When choosing a historical home for any reason, there are some things you should be aware of.
Some dwellings of this type can be too run down to renovate. If they are infested with pests, this could take major renovations and not be worth the cost or time to fix. The building could be so ancient that it will be impossible to bring up to modern day regulations. Investing in a home of this degree can be costly.
These old buildings sometimes will have no previous electricity and running water. Completely remodeling a house like this would be very time consuming and expensive. Of course you can pull this off if you are knowledgeable in extensive building or home improvements. Older homes were not built like newer homes today. Foundations may need to be completely redone to meet today’s codes and regulations. Hiring someone who specializes in renovations may be your best bet.
Another thing to consider is the planning and any city licenses you will need before beginning your renovations. Do you have the time and energy to plan all the reconstruction? You must have documents and sketches of what needs to be done. The whole process will be time consuming. Before buying the house take notes on any major repairs that will need to be done. Price these and calculate how much time and money this will cost. Decide on whether you can do the job yourself or if you need to hire a specialized contractor. What will fit in your budget? Maybe you can do some of the work while hiring a contractor for other projects. Also, a building planner or architect might be a good choice to consult.
Research the permits and zoning laws for this type of project. They differ in every county. The last thing you want to do is purchase a home that restricts you from renovations. There may be some sanctions against doing everything you have in mind. You need to be cautious of property taxes and the cost of permits and licensing for renovations. Check to see if any historical group has a lein on your new home. This may restrain you from performing the remodeling you would like to do. Historical groups can also require that a certain home be used for a particular purpose.
Learn the history of the house you hope to purchase. Learning more about the previous owners and what the house was previously used for can give you an idea for future uses. Many older homes will have an interesting story to tell. Do not get caught up in a home that may not be suitable because of its background. If the home you are considering has an unfavorable history you may want to reconsider purchasing this particular house. Perhaps the history is so compelling there is reason to consider turning it into a museum or another kind of landmark. When exploring the history of the home, you may find some facts that do not appeal to your family. Will this be a concern if you are purchasing the house as a family residence?
Choosing the correct structure to accomplish what you have in mind for the home is an important step. There are many different types of older dwellings. These include Victorian style homes, farmhouses on acres of land, and even older style business buildings. Look into several types before deciding how to proceed. Older homes can be found in town or out in the country. A long forgotten Mom and Pop shop or a soda jerk business may be just what you’re looking for. When searching for a place to restore and make workable once again choose the place that interests you the most.
For a residence, newer homes may not be your forte. Older homes with time and effort may be well worth the price and time needed. Many people disagree on the best way to restore older homes. The only way you can be absolutely be sure this is the step you would like to take is to study and research different methods. Historical Columbia SC homes can be revived into beautiful structures.