I love homes with Character. A home does not have to be expensive or necessarily any particular style to have character. And let's be clear .....character is not the same as style. And not unlike individual people, some homes have got it and others simply don't come close.
Today while waiting for a client to come view an interesting little investment home in Bryan, Texas , I found out I was 30 minutes early, so I decided to just look it over and keep an open mind. This was a simple 50's masonry block home with steel framed casement windows and it rested on two lots with some nice trees and some overgrown flowerbeds. This was a one owner home and had not been overly remodeled or damaged. It was just a sound older home in good overall condition. But the most interesting thing was the more I investigated the more I warmed up to it. Little nooks with built-ins, windows that actually worked, plus a large bathroom with an old style commode that flushed like a Sherman Tank ...that baby was awesome , not the least bit shy. ;)
A tidy kitchen with just enough room, kind of like June and Ward Cleaver's kitchen would have been. And the back yard had extreme potential. Plenty of room and lots of neat large stones for bordering the flowerbeds. Very little on this home had been abused. It is a real Keeper and had character! You could just feel it. There was a huge sun room for the size of the home which probably had served a plant lover's purposes. Sometimes big surprises come in little packages and this little home was one of those!
Have a prosperous week!
Trey
I love home with character too! Sometimes the new ones can be a bit bare and really don't feel like HOME!
Trey~ I do love the older homes that have lots of character. They are just so unique and charming. They are a real pleasure to view and to show especially if they are in great shape.
Trey, you are right those older homes with all their nooks, crannies, built ins, pocket doors etc. have a character that you just don't find in the newer homes.
Joan,
My brother and I have a small building company and one thing I am starting to realize is, a builder has got to find a signature for his homes, something that makes them different and warm.
Vickie
It has alwas amazed me at the fine details in older homes. They must have had more time to pay attention to all the cool items.
Hi Trey...
I love homes like that. Just being in them sometimes transports me to a different place and time. Usually a time that was more genteel and when life was easier. Ahhh. That doen't happen in new construction!
Steve
Know what you mean. Some homes just "talk to you."
Trey, now were was your camera? What a tease you are :)...from now on, don't leave home without it, OK? Liz
Hi Trey,
I absolutely love older homes with character and unique features. They have a certain energy about them, although I've been in some that were sadly run down. I really like to see old home lovers buy them and restore them.....as long as they keep all of the original features, or as many as possible.
I could picture the house you were describing while I read your blog...sounds very comfortable.
((-:
Jo
Jo
They do have energy as you say. There are some really fabulous homes on AR when you look on some of the groups.
In Hawaii, we have the old plantation style homes. Not only do they have character, they were well built for the environment. Cooling breezes pass through the homes, overhangs help keep out the sun and the porches make for a great afternoon gathering spot.
Pete
I have a home for sale in our area that was built in 1840. Truly amazing how comfortable it stays even in the hot summer.
Trey