All You Need to Know about Buying a Home with Character

When buying a home, you probably have a long list of all of the things you want – a big bathroom, an open plan living area, a garden, lots of natural light, and so on. One thing that may top your list is ‘character.’ Unlike a large bathroom, character is something that is not always black and white. It’s about a home that has personality and vibrancy, but this can mean different things to different people. So, let’s take a look at finding a home that has character.

Does a home with character need to be an old property?

More often than not, a home with character is a home that has been there for many, many years. After all, character comes from stories and age. Nonetheless, this does not mean you cannot find newer properties that are bursting with personality. It’s all about finding special types of properties. Cabins are a great option. They have a rustic and comforting vibe, yet you don’t need to buy one that was built thousands of years ago to benefit from this.  

Things no one tells you about buying an older property…

There is no denying that buying a property that is old is not for everyone. For some people, however, it can be a dream come true, but you need to know what you are letting yourself in for. Here are a few of the things that you need to think about before determining whether an older home is the right fit for your lifestyle:

• You will need to embrace the difficulties of owning an old home. If you try to completely modernize an aged property, it will only consume you and your wallet. If you want to modernize the property, why are you looking for an old home?
• Will your appliances fit into the older home? If not, you will need to buy new ones.
• Mixing the old with the new is trendy, providing you with the perfect compromise.
• There are two updates you will need to invest in – your windows and your roof. If your roof is over 15 years old, replace it.
• Find out how much homeowner’s insurance is going to be.
• You may need to invest in some remodeling. Find out exactly what you need to remodel before buying.
• Don’t forget that older homes come with older building materials and older technology.

Can you bring character to a home?

If you have found a home that meets your requirements, yet is lacking on the character front, is this something you can add yourself? Of course, it is! Needless to say, it’s good to have a starting point; if you have a blank canvas to work with, it can be a bit tricky, but it is not impossible. Here are some suggestions for adding character to a property:

• Remember home is where YOUR heart is. Add touches that are personal to you, rather than following trends.
• Focus on the foyer for an interesting entry.
• Put unused spaces to work by giving them appeal and purpose.
• Invest in antiques and other accessories that tell a story.
• Don’t play by the rules – think outside of the box.
• Use open shelving so that you can make way for displays.
• Accent with architectural details.