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Congratulations on your decision to purchase a home that was built, in what many consider to be "The Golden Age of American Residential Housing".
Some of the most beautifully and meticulously constructed homes were built during that period. There is a sociological reason for that. The 20s and late teens were the first time that private homes were built for the upper middle class and lower upper class.
This is a group of people, now and then, that have enough money to expect and demand quality. The 1920s was an era that brought the Garden City movement. Homes were built in clusters, around a park or park like area. Greenways and berms were popular.
The best, and most modern materials were used. No one on earth could suggest that sheet rock is a substitute for plaster. It just isn't.
If you are buying a home that has been maintained, and is currently lived in, the current owners have most likely already updated the electric, added more outlets, added central air and heat.
Other than that, I would just have the house inspected as you would any home. There is no special flaw in 1920s -30s homes that needs to be addressed. Most problems occur when the home has not been maintained or has been "updated" in a way that does not show respect the original structure.
You are lucky if you find a house with one of those beautiful 1930s Art Deco bathrooms!
Look for a house that has been meticulously maintained and not ruined by "remuddleing".
Great info! Very true regarding the sociological aspects of the houses in that time frame.
Congratulations on your decision to purchase a home that was built, in what many consider to be "The Golden Age of American Residential Housing".
Some of the most beautifully and meticulously constructed homes were built during that period. There is a sociological reason for that. The 20s and late teens were the first time that private homes were built for the upper middle class and lower upper class. Not only for farmers (utilitarian houses) or the ultra rich.
This is a group of people, now and then, that have enough money to expect and demand quality. The 1920s was an era that brought the Garden City movement. Homes were built in clusters, around a park or park like area. Greenways and berms were popular.
The best, and most modern materials were used. No one on earth could suggest that sheet rock is good substitute for plaster. It just isn't. The worst homes are being built now, or were built in the 70s 80s and 90s. With the exception of *some* custom built houses.
If you are buying a home that has been maintained, and is currently lived in, the current owners have most likely already updated the electric, added more outlets, added central air and heat.
Other than that, I would just have the house inspected as you would any home. There is no special flaw in 1920s -30s homes that needs to be addressed. Most problems occur when the home has not been maintained or has been "updated" in a way that does not show respect the original structure.
You are lucky if you find a house with one of those beautiful 1930s Art Deco bathrooms!
Look for a house that has been meticulously maintained and not ruined by "remuddleing".
Thank you for posting this. It's great to see I'm not the only one that feels this way. I think too many "negative Nancy's" out there thinking any old house is just ready to fall down on it's new owner. There are millions of old homes around the country that put new houses to shame in quality and character. People with closed minds of course never see them because they are never considered when buying a house.
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