Historic Homes/Neighborhoods with Character (Columbia, Sumter: best neighborhood, houses, new construction)

[eramsey]

My husband and I may be moving to Columbia from Chicago this year. We both work in the field of historic preservation. I grew up NC; he is a preservation/restoration architect from Wisconsin. We will be visiting in a few weeks and want to look at possible places to live. Searching on web sites like realtor.com is scaring us a little - we keep coming up with an endless list of 1970s/80s/90s ranch houses, "neo-traditional" styles, and new construction! We would like to find a 2-3 bedroom house for $150,000 to $200,000 in an established, historic neighborhood that is built before 1940, has not been remuddled (historic details like windows, moldings, etc. intact) and has a decent sized yard (we have two dogs).

Where should we be looking? We are both 30 years old, no kids yet but may start a family in the next few years.

I would also be interested in hearing if there are any architecture firms in Columbia that specialize in restoration rather than new construction.

Thanks,
ER

[sgfludd]

Check out Shandon - the 29205 - they have a lot of homes in the era you speak of - but of course that means they are highly desirable - and most are above $200k.

[sgfludd]

Did I quick search using Realtor.com and then popping over to Zillow to find the year the houses were built - found 3 pretty quickly
MLS # 198112 - 1930
#190663 - 1949
#191857 - 1940

I think you're finding the results you are if you're putting in those price parameters. If you want to really see what's in the market for this type of home - you're going to have to search $250k and up. I don't know if you're open to being about an hour from Columbia, in Sumter, SC 29150 - beautiful old houses for under $150k that would be a preservationist's dream. But Columbia and Sumter are VERY different in vibe - Sumter is very much still a Southern small town (though I loved living in both cities)

[eramsey]

Thanks for the tips - I moved the price up to $250,000 and searched only for zip code 29205 and found several listings. $250,000 is the upper end of our price range, but still much more affordable than Chicago!

[sgfludd]

Wonderful! That's one of the best areas of town - but also - there is some older construction in the main zip code 29201 - but that area encompasses a big area - some good - some not so good. You've got the Wheeler Hill area - near the governor's mansion - and then you've got Elmwood Park - which is experiencing some renovations and growth. Check those out as well.

[Akhenaton06]

You'd definitely want to check out Elmwood Park (broken link).

[waccamatt]

I have photos of quite a few in-town neighborhoods on my website, maybe that will give you some ideas:

Waccamatt's page ·

[Dave O]

You may be able to find something in Rosewood for under 200k.

[sonofaque86]

Elmwood Park. I lived there 9 years (nearly half my life). the neighborhood was established in 1905 and many homes are from like from between 1910 and 1920. you'll love it

[anonymous]

For $150,000 - $200,000, you're probably going to have to scrap the historic home idea. I'm not saying you can't find one, just saying that if you do find an old house in that price range, you are asking for problems.

From 04 to 06, I rented a a 1930's 3BR house, that had a huge backyard, no insulation, and was in need of significant repair. The owner said he'd sell it for $240k, and it wasn't in the best neighborhood.

Bump it up to around $250k-$300k, and you'll be fine. Or, just find a 1950's or newer in that $150-200k range, and you'll be fine. I'm certainly not an expert, but this has been the experience of my friends and acquaintances in Columbia. Columbia certainly has what you're looking for, but IMO you're just shy of the price range you need to be at.