Value in improving a house? (neighborhood, buying, construction)

[greg42]

Yeah, dude, the yellow brick looks fine with the white, if you happen to like yellow brick.

Personally, I find yellow brick hideous.

[PreservationPioneer]

It's better than insul-brick or aluminum siding.

I hated the yellow brick, too, at first. Then I realized the street is paved with the same color brick. It has a neat look in person, like the yellow brick road. It has grown on me!

[greg42]

Actually, I'd rather have aluminum siding in good condition. Not on that style house though, that would look stupid. But it's perfectly normal on a 1980s house like mine.

Brick is ideal really, but geez I'd have to think long and hard before choosing one out of that color brick. I just can't get over it. My house is white.

[PreservationPioneer]

Blechh. This is what I can't stand. Victorians covered in aluminum or vinyl siding and all the trim removed, and those hideous metal porches. Unfortunately, they are all over Pittsburgh, even in nice neighborhoods like Shadyside and Highland Park! No wonder many people don't want old houses...

[greg42]

Oh the humanity! The porch roof with those little vertical pieces! WTF? And at the main roof. Who decided that was a good idea?

[gg]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

It depends on the color of the brick, siding, or other elements, too. Some houses look great with white windows. I think mine looks pretty good with the white windows and door. The only thing I hate is the board over the transom on the original picture window. The covered transom over the door doesn't bother me too much. I'm sure it would look better with custom wood windows and doors, but the value of the home wouldn't support that kind of investment. I've already spent more than it's worth, and it's not done. lol

Now there is a situation that you did very well. Row home with yellow brick. You made it look clean and nice. I think you did a good job. You can't really paint the brick an earth tone, because it is a row home. I think you did well for that situation. Looks clean. Nice job.

[BrianTH]

I like less common colors of brick, and I agree the windows and door look very crisp and appropriate. Nice job!

[progmac]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

It depends on the color of the brick, siding, or other elements, too. Some houses look great with white windows. I think mine looks pretty good with the white windows and door. The only thing I hate is the board over the transom on the original picture window. The covered transom over the door doesn't bother me too much. I'm sure it would look better with custom wood windows and doors, but the value of the home wouldn't support that kind of investment. I've already spent more than it's worth, and it's not done. lol

Cute house, thanks for sharing! the brick is a statement of the time the house was built. i've heard that there is a special place in hell for people who paint brick. i will be in that special place since i painted my 100 year old woodwork.

look at the bright side, your house hardly has any windows. a normal bungalow like mine has 25+ someday you'll be able to get exactly what you want.

[robrobrob]

Painting brick is always an option. When I lived in Aspinwall an old victorian with red brick was painted gray and it looks awesome. It depends on the condition of the brick to begin with. Some brick just doesn't age well. I think smooth brick ages better than rough brick.

We have rough brick on our house now. It doesn't look as nice as the other house in our neighborhood that were built with smooth bricks or used bricks. We could always paint it down the road but there is no going back.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by alleghenyangel

I love them, too, on houses from the 1950s. But on my 1909 row-house it was just plain ugly. LOL. It also had one of those awful aluminum screen doors.

Was it in good enough condition to resell? Do you have a rehab place like that around that would take it? I just hate seeing these things go into landfill....