Quote:
Originally Posted by braylee
Victorians were generally built for people that were well off. Unlike old farm houses, who were built by the family and generally farmers put their money into the farm (livestock crops) and not their house.
My husband and I have looked at a TON of old houses. We love victorians and farm houses. All the houses we have looked at need work Some range from ALOT of work to not so much.
A lot of older homes have had major problems taken care of/upgraded. Cosmetic work doesnt scare me, because it is something most people can do themselves and is not as costly as major repairs like electric, foundation etc.
From my experience, you need to look at flooring. Does it slope in any of the rooms? This could mean foundation problems or floors that need to be replaced.
Has the electricity been upgraded to atleast 100 amp at very minimum.
The basement, is it damp? If so has a sump pump been put in?
What kind of heating does it have? Does it go to every room? I have found many older houses only have heating in the main rooms.
Walls, are they plaster? If so have they been repaired since the house was built? What kind of shape are they in?
Plumbing, has it been upgraded?
Roof, when was the last time it was totally replaced?
Once you have check the major systems in the house I think it should be a lot easier to figure out if this house is for you.
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The Victorian homes ranged from all prices, the more elaborate ones commonly called "painted ladys" with more than three body colors were usualy built by the more to do familys. There are definatly some victorian homes that were smaller or farm houses. but the ones most commonly thought of are the painted ladys. Within the Victorian style, there are many sub-styles such as
Second Empire Victorian homes - these usualy have a Mansard roof, and look like your typical haunted house
Queen Anne - these are the most commonly thought of homes when the word victorian comes up. These are also known as "painted ladys" for their many colors, they were the most elaborate and decorated.
well whatcha know hehe I found a link that describes exactly what I was starting to.
Google Image Result for http://www.ferndalerealestate.net/images/VicStyle_EastLake01.jpg
the ones described in the article are showing the high class models, simply because they were the most ornate.
here is a Victorian farm house. notice the lack of decoratoin, and the three colors used, which is common for this era, you have a body color, trim color and a window frame color.
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