While people go through life, they learn what they like and use their money as effectively as possible. However, some people question why old people bother with big houses when they start to age. If they live alone or only with their spouse, they don’t need the additional space for kids. Even though it might seem like they don’t need the space, they purchase large houses for a reason....
Do you own a really old house? So old that you feel like it deserves antique status? Just because a house or item is old does not mean you could call it an antique. There need to be other qualifiers that factor in as well. Maybe your house is old but not old enough, making it just another house on the block. Perhaps it is a newer house that was built with an antique style. What Is an...
If you have ever been inside an old home, you may have noticed that the ceilings are much higher than in modern homes. So why were ceilings so high in old homes? They were designed this way for several reasons, both practical and aesthetic. Raising the ceiling higher made the rooms appear grander and allowed for better ventilation and easier heating in the winter. Below, we will discuss...
The Great Depression of 1929-1939 ushered in one of the most painful periods of economic collapse in American—and global—history. As banks and businesses floundered, people began distrusting formal financial and economic systems. They removed their cash and valuables from traditional banking institutions and hid them in various creative places—from piano legs to mattresses. Read...
Well, do they? This is an interesting question because it asks beyond what is considered sentimental value. Although sentimental value can be figured into a house's total value – when something is given landmark status or is marked as property in a historic district- it isn't the sole factor in what a home is worth. A multitude of factors determines older homes losing their value. We...
The money pit question depends on your answers to the following questions. First, what kind of houses do you like? Second, do you like unique craftsmanship? Alternatively, shiny new construction waiting for its first occupant? Third, does sleeping in your turret appeal to you? Finally, do you have a flexible budget for renovations from $50 to $500 per square foot? Is a Victorian house for...
If you’ve ever been to an old Victorian house or you just bought one, you may be puzzled by its comically small rooms. It’s too small to be a bedroom but too big to be a closet, so what is it? Below are eight possibilities for why there is a strangely small room in the old house. Some had a purpose you may not expect. Chances are, you’ll be surprised how much times have changed! How Old...
It’s not uncommon in a European city to pass by buildings that have been standing for hundreds of years, including homes or structures that were homes during most of their history. But when you go through the United States, most of our homes and buildings have rarely reached two or three hundred years old yet, let alone six to nine hundred years. What do the experts say? A house lasting two...
Whenever you decide to sell your house, you always want to get as much money as possible. However, using your time correctly can pose some challenges if you don’t know what to do. If you don’t want to waste money while improving your house, find out it doesn’t increase the value. The kitchen stands out as an essential room in any home. Make sure you understand why you would want to redo...
There can be a lot of excitement that comes with buying an old house. In addition to the potential of old homes, some people have even been lucky to find hidden money! If you’re the new owner of an old house, you may be in for some surprises. As you get to work refreshing the paint and redoing the floors, you may just find a few items of value. These are some of the most common hiding places for...